periapsis
Noun
Meaning
(astronomy) the point in an orbit closest to the body being orbited
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Examples
A payload released at this point would go into a highly eccentric elliptical orbit, staying just barely clear from atmospheric reentry, with the periapsis at the same altitude as LEO and the apoapsis at the release height.
Powered slingshot main A powered slingshot is the use of a rocket engine at or around closest approach to a body ( periapsis ).
At periapsis: AU At apoapsis: AU The leisurely orbit of the pair has made it difficult to pin down their respective masses, and the accuracy of these values remain somewhat controversial.
The superior conjunction between Europa and Ganymede occurs when Europa is at periapsis.