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Considerations
Concept of Transfer Orbit
WHAT IS ACTUAL SCALE OF ORBITS?
GEO
EARTH
LEO, 300 km
WHAT IS ACTUAL SCALE OF ORBITS?
GEO
LEO
EARTH
HOHMANN TRANSFER SUMMARY
Vc2
• We want to move spacecraft from
LEO → GEO
GEO
• Initial LEO orbit has radius r1 and
velocity Vc1
GM
Vc1
r1 LEO
r1
GM
Vc1
r LEO
r1
GM
Vc1
r LEO
r1
GM
Vc1
r LEO
r1
2 2
DV1
r1 a r1 GTO
2 2
DV1 LEO
r1 r1 r2 r1
r1
GM Vc1 DV1
r2
V1
2 2
DV1
r1 r1 r2 r1
GTO
LEO
GM
r1
GM
Problem
• A satellite is to be launched to a GEO orbit (altitude = 36000
km). A launch vehicle is used to launch the satellite at a LEO
orbit of alititutde 360km. An elliptical Hohman transfer orbit
is used to launch the satellite to the GEO. Calculate the value
of velocity impulses ΔV1 and ΔV2 to be applied by the Perigee
Kick Motor and the Apogee Kick Motor respectively in order
to launch the satellite at the GEO. Give that the radius of the
Earth is 6371 km.
Hint
r1 (360 6371)km
r2 (36000 6371)km
v1
r1
v2
r2
2 2
DV1 v1
r1 r1 r2
2 2
DV2 v2
r2 r1 r2
SUMMARY
• General Comments
– Time does not appear in these expression
• Depends on orbital characteristics
– No Drag, No maneuvering near planet
– Faster trajectories require greater Dvtotal
Oberth Effect
• In astronautics, a powered flyby, or Oberth maneuver, is a
maneuver in which a spacecraft falls into a gravitational well,
and then accelerates when its fall reaches maximum speed.
The resulting maneuver is a more efficient way to gain kinetic
energy than applying the same impulse outside of a
gravitational well. The gain in efficiency is explained by
the Oberth effect, wherein the use of an engine at higher
speeds generates greater mechanical energy than use at lower
speeds. In practical terms, this means that the most energy-
efficient method for a spacecraft to burn its engine is at the
lowest possible orbital periapsis, when its orbital velocity (and
so, its kinetic energy) is greatest.
Satellite Launching
Considerations for Launching a Satellite
• Satellites stay in space for most of their life time. We know that the
environment of weightlessness is present in the space. That’s why satellites
don’t require additional strong frames in space. But, those are required
during launching process. Because in that process satellite shakes violently,
till the satellite has been placed in a proper orbit.