Orbital mechanics - falling body

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the falling rate of an object in orbital mechanics using Tsiolkovsky's equations. Specifically, it addresses the scenario where a spacecraft, initially moving with a velocity vector ai+bj+ck at altitude h, stops its engines at time t1. The challenge lies in determining how its velocity and altitude change after a time interval delta t, considering gravitational acceleration and the dynamics of motion outside Earth's atmosphere.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Tsiolkovsky's rocket equation
  • Knowledge of vector calculus in three dimensions
  • Familiarity with gravitational acceleration effects
  • Basic principles of orbital mechanics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of Tsiolkovsky's equations in non-thrust scenarios
  • Learn about the equations of motion for free-falling bodies
  • Research gravitational effects on objects in low Earth orbit
  • Explore numerical methods for simulating orbital trajectories
USEFUL FOR

Aerospace engineers, physicists, and students studying orbital mechanics who seek to deepen their understanding of motion dynamics in space environments.

dreamer_asot
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Hello, my question id the following: when using Tsiolkovsky's equations to determine the velocity of a body after certain period of time, when the engine of a (space)craft is running, life is simple.

But how do you calculate the falling rate of an object that is constantly falling, and then apply that information to find the change of altitude with respect to some change in time?

Let's say the body is already moving with a velocity ai+bj+ck and is at an altitude h (the object is outside Earth's atmosphere). It stops it's engines at time t1 at that altitude h. How does its velocity and altitude change after time delta t, or in other words at time t2?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I think that the problem is not as simple to just account for the Earth's gravitational acceleration, change in h and change in the k component of the velocity vector, that's why I'm asking.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
3K
  • · Replies 87 ·
3
Replies
87
Views
7K
  • · Replies 86 ·
3
Replies
86
Views
9K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K