Orbit MFD

Orbit is an MFD mode which lists the elements and parameters for the orbit of the ship's orbit in reference to a central body, and a graphical representation of the orbit. The mode can also show the orbit of a target body orbiting the same body and its orbital characteristics. Orbit may be selected from the MFD selection page.

The display shows the Keplar, or two-body, orbit of the craft at the current date with respect to the reference body. Any natural body in Orbiter may be selected as the reference body. Because of perturbations to the orbit, it may change over time. Perturbing effects include other bodies in the Solar System, nonspherical gravity, atmospheric drag, and ship's engines, etc.

The orbital elements may be displayed in the ecliptic or equatorial frame of reference. The plane of the ecliptic is the orbital plane of the Earth and the equatorial plane is the plane of the equator of the reference body. ShiftF or the FRM button is used to switch back and forth between the reference frames, the 'Frm' value displays the current frame.

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