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danielandpenn
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I'm curious to know how the engineers of NASA determine how to join two moving, or orbiting objects in space. What type of mathematics helps them determine their trajectories? Thanks!
Well it's a book for someone who already owns at least two spacecraft , you know.D H said:https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521824923/?tag=pfamazon01-20
A used paperback that costs $90!
I do believe it's straight orbital mechanics.danielandpenn said:I'm curious to know how the engineers of NASA determine how to join two moving, or orbiting objects in space. What type of mathematics helps them determine their trajectories? Thanks!
Jeff Reid said:...Once it's within range, a burst of thrust is used to initially increase speed and/or alitude, with the ultimate goal being the nearly the same averate orbital radius and speed as the target vehicle...
Jeff Reid said:A burst of thrust is used to initially increase speed ... A second burst is needed to correct the shape of the orbital path.
The intial burst increases speed, resulting in a "higher energy" eliptical orbit. As the vehicle follows the elliptical orbit, it's speed decreases as it's altitude increases. The second burst is made near the peak (and slowest speed) of the elliptical orbit, with the goal typically being a nearly circular orbit. This process is describe in this wiki article:mbunds said:So, you have to speed up in order to slow down!?
D H said:https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521824923/?tag=pfamazon01-20
A used paperback that costs $90!
Joining two orbiting space vehicles requires precise calculations and coordination between the two vehicles. The most common method is to use a spacecraft docking system, which involves aligning and connecting the docking ports on each vehicle.
Joining two orbiting space vehicles can serve a variety of purposes, such as transferring astronauts or supplies between the two vehicles, conducting repairs or maintenance, or combining resources to complete a mission. It can also be used to create larger structures or spacecraft by combining smaller modules.
The two vehicles must be moving at the same speed and direction in order to successfully join them. This requires precise calculations and adjustments to ensure that the two vehicles are in the same orbit and moving at the same velocity before attempting to join them.
The main risk involved in joining two orbiting space vehicles is the potential for collisions or damage to either vehicle. This can be caused by miscalculations, mechanical failures, or human error. Therefore, thorough planning and precise execution are crucial to minimize these risks.
Yes, there have been many successful examples of joining two orbiting space vehicles. The most well-known example is the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975, where a US Apollo spacecraft and a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft successfully docked in orbit. More recently, the International Space Station has been continuously inhabited since 2000 and has had numerous docking and joining operations with different spacecraft from various countries.