External Forces
External forces refer to any force acting on a spacecraft or a satellite that originates from outside the system. These forces can be gravitational, electromagnetic, or mechanical in nature. Gravitational forces are exerted by celestial bodies such as planets, moons, and asteroids. Electromagnetic forces include solar radiation pressure, magnetic fields, and charged particles in space. Mechanical forces can be caused by collisions with micrometeoroids or debris in orbit. External forces can affect the trajectory, attitude, and stability of a spacecraft or a satellite, and must be taken into account during mission planning and design. Engineers use various techniques such as modeling, simulation, and testing to analyze and mitigate the effects of external forces on spacecraft and satellites.
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