Mars Academy
Orbital Mechanics
One of the most important steps in designing any space mission is precisely
determining the trajectory that the spacecraft will follow en route to
its final destination. It is obvious to say that the success and even the
feasibility of any mission depends primarily on a good design of its trajectory.
Two essential design parameters will result from the adoption of a certain
class or trajectory for a mission : the overall time of the mission, including
transit and eventual stays or orbits and the propulsion requirements to
achieve the desired trajectories and orbits.
These two parameters are absolutely critical in the design of any mission,
for they affect the human factors (medical, supplies, psychology) and the
hardware requirements (propulsion, engines, systems, etc.) of the mission.
Orbital Mechanics Links
|