WhizWheel

This WhizWheel is used to visualize a satellite in orbit based on the common orbital elements (COEs). The first five COEs (defined below) are assumed to be fixed for simple orbital motion. Once once you visualize those parameters, you've successfully simulated the orbit any given satellite is flying in. I printed this example at 120% the original size. I have created a plastic pin to hold the orbit onto the center of the orbital plane. A screw can also be used to attach the orbit as shown. The pin, or screw, represents the Earth at a focus of the orbit.

To visualize a satellite in orbit, you'll need the following COEs (a,e, i, RAAN, ArgP, v) to describe the size, shape, tilt, swivel, twist, and position of a satellite in an inertial coordinate frame. The size (a) and shape (e) of any orbit are defined by the semi-major axis and eccentricity respectively. These parameters define the orbit piece which is attached to the center of the whizWheel. A highly eccentric orbit is provided