Powered Flight from Earth to Mars - Find Help Here

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter revenant
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of powered flight from Earth to Mars, specifically focusing on the orbital mechanics involved when propulsion is applied, as opposed to unpowered flight which follows conic sections. Participants explore the implications of using various types of propulsion systems in interplanetary travel.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that traditional orbital mechanics apply to unpowered flight, raising the question of how orbits would change with powered flight.
  • Another participant suggests that numerical methods may be necessary to analyze powered trajectories, mentioning ion drives as a relevant example.
  • A question is posed regarding the type of acceleration desired, whether it be a continuous low thrust from an ion engine or a more rapid acceleration and deceleration at 1g.
  • A participant clarifies that the propulsion could involve chemical rockets, electrical systems, or ion engines, emphasizing that the thrust alters the force equations and affects angular momentum conservation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the specifics of powered flight trajectories, with no consensus on the best approach or method to analyze these scenarios.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about propulsion types and their effects on orbital mechanics, as well as the need for numerical solutions that may not be fully explored in the discussion.

revenant
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lemme start of by saying hi...

i came across this forum on a search in google and found it nice...

i got a nice problem that i cud use help on

we all know the ususal orbital mechanics of the conic sections. this type of orbit occurs only in unpowered flight (where u don't use any engines, just use the gravity field of planets)

what wud the orbits be like if the flight was powered.

im looking at interplanetary powered flight say from Earth to mars.

anyone has already done this or know how todo this... help!

thx
 
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Hi revenant, welcome to PF!

AFAIK it needs to be done numerically.

There is probably something out there somewhere. Look up trajectories relating to 'ion drives' which are continuously powered spacecraft .
 
Are you interested in a trickle accelleration, like from an ion engine, or a quick flight where you're accelerating at 1g for half your flight, and decelerating at 1g for the second half?
 
well... the type of engine is chemical rocket/electrical/ion... that is i can use them all or just one of them or any two of them... its basically multistage and its powered flight. so u have thrust coming in the force equation and its no longer conic, angular momentum is also not conserved!
 

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