Orbital stability refers to the condition in which an object, such as a planet or satellite, maintains a consistent path around a larger body, like a star or planet. This stability is influenced by gravitational forces, which keep the object in a predictable orbit without significant deviations over time. Factors affecting orbital stability include the mass of the central body, the distance of the orbiting object, and the presence of other nearby celestial bodies. For example, the orbits of Earth and the Moon are stable due to their gravitational interactions and the relative distances involved.