A distant retrograde orbit is an orbital path around a secondary body, like the Moon, where the spacecraft travels opposite to the body's rotation. It is highly stable due to the balance of gravitational forces from the Earth and Moon, making it ideal for long-term space stations or parking orbits where minimal station-keeping propellant is required.
Heard on the job
The mission plan puts the gateway module into a DRO to save fuel over its lifespan.
Related terms
Artemis
The crewed spaceflight program led by the United States to return astronauts to the Moon and establish a sustainable lunar presence.
Trajectory
The three-dimensional flight path of an aircraft, rocket, or spacecraft.
LLO
Low Lunar Orbit is a close trajectory around the Moon used for observation and staging landings.