This is a list of types of gravitational orbit classified by various characteristics.

Common abbreviations

List of abbreviations of common Earth orbits

List of abbreviations of other orbits

Classifications

The following is a list of types of orbits:

Centric classifications

For orbits centered about planets other than Earth and Mars and for the dwarf planet Pluto, the orbit names incorporating Greek terminology are not as established and much less commonly used:

Altitude classifications for geocentric orbits

For Earth orbiting satellites below the height of about 800 km, the atmospheric drag is the major orbit perturbing force out of all non-gravitational forces. Above 800 km, solar radiation pressure causes the largest orbital perturbations. However, the atmospheric drag strongly depends on the density of the upper atmosphere, which is related to the solar activity, therefore the height at which the impact of the atmospheric drag is similar to solar radiation pressure varies depending on the phase of the solar cycle.

Inclination classifications

Directional classifications

Eccentricity classifications

There are two types of orbits: closed (periodic) orbits, and open (escape) orbits. Circular and elliptical orbits are closed. Parabolic and hyperbolic orbits are open. Radial orbits can be either open or closed.

Synchronicity classifications

Orbits in galaxies or galaxy models

Special classifications

Pseudo-orbit classifications