Optimum Orbital Transfer by Impulses

Abstract

Abstract : The transfer from a given orbit to another of given geometry by two impulses is studied. It is shown that the total impulse will be a minimum provided that the two orbits and the transfer trajectory are coplanar, with the same major axis and orientated in the same sense; and that the apogee of the transfer trajectory coincides with that of one of the orbits with longer apogee distance, while the perigee of the transfer trajectory coincides with that of the other orbit. (Author)