Ground Track

A ground track refers to the path that an aircraft or satellite takes over the Earth's surface as it moves through the sky. Imagine a dotted line on a map that traces where the vehicle has traveled, showing its trajectory as it moves along its route. For satellites, the ground track can change based on their orbit and the Earth's rotation, influencing coverage areas. Understanding ground tracks is essential for navigation, communication, and monitoring purposes, as it helps predict where and when a vehicle will be over specific locations on the Earth.