In astrodynamics or celestial dynamics orbital state vectors (sometimes state vectors) are cartesian vectors of position and velocity that together with their time (epoch) uniquely determine the trajectory of a body in space.
Read more about Orbital State Vectors: Frame of Reference, Position Vector
Famous quotes containing the word state:
“The mountainous region of the State of Maine stretches from near the White Mountains, northeasterly one hundred and sixty miles, to the head of the Aroostook River, and is about sixty miles wide. The wild or unsettled portion is far more extensive. So that some hours only of travel in this direction will carry the curious to the verge of a primitive forest, more interesting, perhaps, on all accounts, than they would reach by going a thousand miles westward.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)