Beta Angle

The Beta Angle ( German: beta angle ) is a size of the spacecraft. The beta angle is determined together with the orbital altitude, the time during the in-orbit satellite is exposed to a direct sunlight. This has an effect on the energy which can be taken up by cells, as well as the heating of the satellite to the sun.

The beta angle is defined as ( the smaller of the two ) angle between the orbital plane of the object and the vector from the sun to the object, ie the direction from which the sun is shining.