Transfer Orbits


Transfer orbits are the trajectories used by spacecraft to move from one celestial body to another. These orbits are designed to take advantage of the gravitational forces of the celestial bodies to minimize the amount of propellant needed for the transfer. The most common transfer orbits are the Hohmann transfer orbit, which is used for transfers between two circular orbits in the same plane, and the bi-elliptic transfer orbit, which is used for transfers between two circular orbits in different planes. Other types of transfer orbits include the gravity assist trajectory, which uses the gravitational pull of a planet to change the trajectory of a spacecraft, and the ballistic capture trajectory, which uses the atmosphere of a planet to slow down a spacecraft and capture it into orbit.


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