STUDIES RELATIVE TO RENDEZVOUS BETWEEN CIRCULAR ORBITS,
Abstract
In-plane rendezvous from an inner circular parking orbit to an outer circular target orbit is studied. Comparisons are made between the Hohmann and the bi-elliptic transfer techniques. Parking in either bi-elliptic transfer ellipse is considered as a means of reducing the necessary bielliptic velocity expenditure at the expense of transfer time. The bi-elliptic transfer is shown to be useful only in a lim ited band of orbital radii ratio values. This band decreases as the number of parking revolutions increases. The semitangential transfer (with and without parking) is considered as a means of further reducing the transfer time, aften at the expense of an increase in velocity requirement. Each of the above transfer technique is then analyzed for velocity limited maneuvers. All three techniques are shown to possess features which recommend them as logical choices for certain types of missions. The logical extension of the Hohmann and bi-elliptic transfer modes are evolved for use in three-dimensional rendezvous missions. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 22, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0604751
Entities
People
- B. H. Billik
- H. L. Roth
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation