pericynthion

plural pericynthions

1. The point in an elliptical orbit around the moon that passes closest to the moon.

   The pericynthion's distance of 15 km and the apocynthion's distance of 100 km are known.

   2015, Zhigang Fang, Energy Science and Applied Technology, →ISBN

   3 more examples

   Trajectory sensitivities are determined for ü=3hr and the first adjustment method is used to calculate that a midcourse correction AV_ = 7.3m/sec is required to correct to the nominal pericynthion point and time.

   1963, Lunar Flight Handbook - Part 1, page 117

   The nominal landing trajectory used in this study consists of applying constant thrust at the pericynthion of the synchronous orbit and performing a gravity-turn descent to a point about 5,500 feet above the lunar surface.

   1964, G. Kimball Miller, Jr., A simplified guidance scheme for aborting lunar landings

   Because of the "requirement" that the pericynthion of this type of trajectory lie on the earth-moon axis, the pericynthion loci of realistic panes pass through or very close to the earth-moon axis regardless of i_(VTL).

   2014, Victor Szebehely, Celestial Mechanics and Astrodynamics, →ISBN, page 491

   Synonyms: periapsis, perilune, periselene