Is This How a Spaceship Enters Mars?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the calculations required for a spaceship's entry into Mars, specifically using orbital mechanics. The semi-minor axis is calculated as 265 km, derived from a major axis of 530 km. The focal length is determined to be 115 km, and the vis-viva equation is applied to find the orbital speed, resulting in 7.625 km/s. Finally, the time to travel from Earth to Mars, a distance of 230 km, is calculated to be approximately 30.095 minutes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of orbital mechanics and elliptical orbits
  • Familiarity with the vis-viva equation
  • Basic knowledge of gravitational parameters
  • Ability to perform calculations involving semi-major and semi-minor axes
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  • Study the vis-viva equation in detail
  • Learn about gravitational parameters and their significance in space travel
  • Research elliptical orbits and their applications in astrodynamics
  • Explore the physics of spacecraft trajectory planning
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Aerospace engineers, astrophysicists, and students studying orbital mechanics will benefit from this discussion.

rsyodoom2005
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Spaceship entering mars!

okay guys so you have to open this file to read the question accuretely.. i have done some calculations but not sure if they are correct.


So just this as best as i can, fist i figure out my semi-minor axis = a
by 150km +150 KM +230 km =530km (major axis) now to get me semi minor axis i will just divide it by 2 . Giving me 265km!

Focal lenght= 265km - Earth's disntace to the sun (150 km) =115 km


Now to get my semi minor axis i use the equation b2=(a2-f2)
(530Km-300km)=b2
b=150km
 
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Now to calculate my orbit i will use the vis-viva equation V2=GM(2/r-1/a)Where GM is the gravitational parameter of the sun and a and r are the major and minor axis of the elliptical orbit.V2 = (6.67408*10^-11)(2/150-1/265)V2 = 5.834*10^-10V = 7.625km/sNow that i have my orbital speed i can calculate the time it will take for the spaceship to enter mars. I will use this equation to do so: Time = Distance / SpeedDistance from Earth to Mars : 230Km Time= 230KM/7.625km/s Time = 30.095 minutes
 

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