What kind of Science is involved in orbital mechanics?
ORBITAL MECHANICS. Orbital mechanics, also called flight mechanics, is the study of the motions of artificial satellites and space vehicles moving under the influence of forces such as gravity, atmospheric drag, thrust, etc.
What is the orbital inclination of a molniya orbit?
Molniya orbits are highly eccentric Earth orbits with periods of approximately 12 hours (2 revolutions per day). The orbital inclination is chosen so the rate of change of perigee is zero, thus both apogee and perigee can be maintained over fixed latitudes. This condition occurs at inclinations of 63.4 degrees and 116.6 degrees.
Why do launch vehicles have to be in a high inclination orbit?
High inclination orbits are less able to take advantage of the initial speed provided by the Earth’s rotation, thus the launch vehicle must provide a greater part, or all, of the energy required to attain orbital velocity.
How is a Hohmann transfer orbit to an outer planet achieved?
A Hohmann transfer orbit to an outer planet, such as Mars, is achieved by launching a spacecraft and accelerating it in the direction of Earth’s revolution around the sun until it breaks free of the Earth’s gravity and reaches a velocity which places it in a sun orbit with an aphelion equal to the orbit of the outer planet.
What are the consequences of the rules of orbital mechanics?
The consequences of the rules of orbital mechanics are sometimes counter-intuitive. For example, if two spacecraft are in the same circular orbit and wish to dock, unless they are very close, the trailing craft cannot simply fire its engines to go faster.
Which is the best description of orbital motion?
Orbital Motion: motion of a particle with a / r2 central force applied. In intro physics the topic was the motion of planets under the influence of the Sun’s gravitational force…orbital mechanics. In quantum mechanics the topic is the motion of an electron under the influence of the electrostatic attractive force of the nucleus…atomic physics.
Is there a difference between orbital and celestial mechanics?
Until the rise of space travel in the twentieth century, there was little distinction between orbital and celestial mechanics. At the time of Sputnik, the field was termed ‘space dynamics’. The fundamental techniques, such as those used to solve the Keplerian problem (determining position as a function of time),…