[Question] Let\'s go to Mars. The diagram below shows a Hohmann transfer orbit (

Question

[Question] Let's go to Mars. The diagram below shows a Hohmann transfer orbit (the black ellipse), which is tangential to the orbits of Earth and Mars: To get from Earth to Mars spacecraft follow this orbit. Using data you can find online for the orbits of Earth, Mars and the Sun, and assuming that the orbits of Earth and Mars are circular with radii equal to their semi-major axes, determine: a. The semi-major axis of the Hohmann transfer orbit b. The speed of the spacecraft at the Earth's orbit in the Hohmann transfer orbit c. The speed of the spacecraft at Mars' orbit in the Hohmann transfer orbit d. How would the speed of the spacecraft need to change to enter into a circular heliocentric orbit at the same orbital distance as Mars? Is this speeding up or slowing down?

Explanation / Answer

Hohmann transfer orbit to go to mars : This theory was first put forward by a German scientist .It states that DEFINATION : its an elliptical orbital movement/ maneuver to transfers a satellite / spacecraft from one orbit to another. of different radii in the same plane ,for discription it takes two accelaration to move to from the original orbit to the destination orbit to explain from circular smaller orbit to the larger one .Movement from perigee & again speed up at apogee..

b) the speed of the space craft at the Earth s orbit in the Hohmann transfer orbit is ( smaller circular orbit ) 7.73 km/sec, in (larger circular orbit) 3.07 kms/sec thus begining at r1= 6,678 km & ending geostationary orbit with r2=42,164 kms.

c)The speed of the space craft at mars orbitas per Hohmannstransfer orbit is 16.26kms/sec.

d) MARS TRANSFER ORBIT: Apropulsive maneuver is brought in/used to set the spacecraft on a trajectory . after every two years a window low energy transfer opens up, thus makes the movement between planets with low possible. TMI ( trans mars injecyion can place space craft to Hoh mann transfer orbit or elliptic transfer orbit.

The sped slows down.

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