Relative angular momentum

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In astrodynamics, the relative angular momentum () of an orbiting body () relative to a central body () is the moment of ()'s relative linear momentum:

where:

• is the orbital position vector of the orbiting body relative to the central body,
• is the orbital velocity vector of the orbiting body relative to the central body,
• is mass of the orbiting body.

For an body orbiting a central body is always perpendicular to the osculating orbital plane determined by orbital position and velocity vectors.

[edit] Uses

In astrodynamics relative angular momentum is usually used to derive specific relative angular momentum ():

where:

• is mass of the orbiting body.

[edit] See also

• Specific relative angular momentum
• Linear momentum
• Momentum

[edit] References