#3189: Conic Sections

XKCD comic, described below.
Transcript
Ambox warning green construction.svg This is one of 34 incomplete transcripts:
Don't remove this notice too soon. If you can fix this issue, edit the page!

[A view of the Earth, focused on Asia and the Indian Ocean with East Africa at left and the Western Pacific and Australia at right. A satellite is shown in an unusual orbit around the planet.]

[Caption below the panel:]

All Keplerian orbits are conic sections. For example, this one uses the base of the cone.


(Sourced from explainxkcd.com)

They're not generally used for crewed spacecraft because astronauts HATE going around the corners.

ExplainOriginal