What is the approximate orbital inclination of Tiangong compared to the ISS inclination of 51.6 degrees?
Answer
Roughly 41 to 43 degrees
Tiangong operates on an orbital inclination of roughly 41 to 43 degrees relative to the Earth's equator, which is significantly lower than the International Space Station's inclination of 51.6 degrees. This lower inclination has a substantial effect on ground observers, particularly those in the Northern Hemisphere. Because its path is less inclined, Tiangong flies considerably further to the south compared to the ISS, often resulting in lower altitude passes or rendering it completely unobservable from very high northern latitudes.
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