McDowell line
nounEtymology Proposed by astrophysicist Jonathan C. McDowell in 2018; when analyzing orbiting satellites to determine the perigee altitude at which one can successfully orbit twice or more on a highly elliptical orbit.
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Aerospace, Business, Engineering, Natural sciences, Physical sciences The altitude of periapsis at which atmospheric drag will prevent an object from successfully orbiting.
- Related terms
- Armstrong line, death zone, mesopause