Direction Cosine
From ExoDictionary
This definition page has been automatically generated. You can help ExoDictionary by expanding, updating, or correcting it. |
| This autostub has not yet had its initial copyediting proof and may contain significant formatting and even factual errors. You can improve Exodictionary by cleaning up the page markup and verifying that the definition is correct and then removing this tag. |
| This autostub has not yet had its initial categorization proof and may be categorized incorrectly. You can improve Exodictionary by removing inappropriate categories and then removing this tag. |
Direction Cosine
</dt>
1. The cosine of the angle formed by the intersection of a line, as a line
of sight to an orbiting body, with an axis of a rectangular coordinate system
with the origin on the line.
</dd>
Every line has three direction angles and three direction cosines: 1,
m, n corresponding to Missing Image:img src="SP7-d_files/psism.gif", Missing Image:img src="SP7-d_files/thetasm.gif", Missing Image:img src="SP7-d_files/phism.gif", the direction
angles with the x, y, and z axes.
</dd>
2. Specifically, in tracking, the
cosine of the angle between a baseline and
the line connecting the center of the baseline with the target. [[/a>|/a>
]]
References
This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use
