Orbiting body

In astrodynamics, an orbiting body ( $m_2$ ) is a body that orbits a primary body ( $m_1$ ).

The orbiting body is properly referred to as the secondary body.^[1]

It is less massive than the primary body (i.e. $m_1>m_2$ ).

Under standard assumptions in astrodynamics the barycenter of the two bodies is a focus of both orbits.

See also

Primary body

References

^ NASA "Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use" http://er.jsc.nasa.gov/SEH/s.html, retrieved 5/11/2010