SOME METHODS FOR ESTABLISHING INTERPLANETARY TRANSFER ORBITS

Abstract

Some methods for establishing heliocentric interplanetary transfer orbits are discussed. The four basic methods and their variations can be used to establish orbits having specified transfer angles, transfer times, hyperbolic excess velocities, or heliocentric departure velocities. Each method consists of a step-by-step computation procedure which utilizes the equations of two-body motion and appropriate trigonometric relations to establish the desired transfer orbit. Each method for establishing a desired transfer orbit requires an iterative process. Thus, the methods are best applied by using a large-scale digital computer. In this way numerous orbits can be established and the orbit which is optimum for some requirement can be selected. None of the methods permits a direct analytical determination of an optimum orbit.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1962
Accession Number
AD0273329

Entities

People

  • L. N. Rowell

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aphelions
  • Computations
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Digital Computers
  • Elliptical Orbits
  • Equations
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Geometry
  • Government Procurement
  • Longitude
  • Missions
  • Orbits
  • Outer Planets
  • Perihelions
  • Three Dimensional
  • Transfer Orbits

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Calculus or Mathematical Analysis
  • Fluid Dynamics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris