Orbital Transfer DeltaV Comparison for Different Orbits

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the Hohmann ∆V required for a transfer from a low-Earth orbit to the Moon's orbit, comparing it to a three-maneuver strategy. The calculations involve determining the crossover point where the escape option becomes more ∆V efficient, with the final ratio found to be approximately 11.938. The initial iteration approach faced challenges, but adjustments were made to successfully find the solution. The MATLAB code provided illustrates the iterative process used to achieve accurate results. The discussion concludes with the acknowledgment that the findings may assist others facing similar calculations.
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Homework Statement


Assuming planar orbits, calculate the Hohmann ∆V required to transfer from a low-Earth
circular orbit with radius of 1.03 Earth radii to the orbit of the Moon (assume 60 Earth
radii). Compare this to the 3-maneuver strategy of (1) escaping to infinity on a parabolic
orbit, (2) maneuvering from infinity to approach the Moon’s radius on a tangential path,
and (3) circularizing at the Moon orbital radius. Use at least 5 significant digits in these
calculations. Locate the crossover point (the ratio r2/r1) where the escape option becomes
more ∆V efficient.

The first parts are solved and cheked to be right.The bold part of the question is the place where i am stuck, finding an iteration to find the crossover point.

Homework Equations


Equations are right, the iteration doesn't work.

The Attempt at a Solution



This is a MATLAB ITERATION.

mu = 3.986004418000000e+005;%gravitaional parameter
r1=1.03*6378;%first point
r2=r1*1.5:1:382680;%final points

for i=1:length(r2);

vesc1=(2*mu/r1)^.5;%escape from leo
vesc2=(2*mu./r2(i)).^.5;%escape from moon
del1=vesc1+vesc2;%left side of deltaone
at=(r1+r2(i))/2;%transfer semimajor axis
et=-mu/2/at;%transfer orbit energy

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
vt1=(2*(et+mu/r1))^.5;%transfer velocity at periapsis1
vt2=(2*(et+mu./r2(i))).^.5;%transfer velocity at apoapsis
v2=(mu./r2(i))^.5;%circular moon orbit velocity

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
del2=vt1-vt2+2*v2;%rhs
del3=del1-del2;%lhs
if del3<0.00001
ratio=r2(i)/r1;%finds the ratio
else
i=i+1;
end
end
 
Last edited:
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Ok, i found the right iteration and solved the question. I moved the variables that vary to the right side and then tried to iterate. this is the solution. the ratio comes out to be 11.938. I will not delete the post since it might help someone.

mu = 3.986004418000000e+005;%gravitaional parameter
r1=1.03*6378;%first point
r2=r1*1.5;%final points
vesc1=(2*mu/r1)^.5;
del1=vesc1;
for i=1:1000000;
r2(i+1)=r2(i)+1;
vesc2(i)=(2*mu./r2(i)).^.5;%escape from moon
%left side of deltaone
at=(r1+r2(i))/2;%transfer semimajor axis
et=-mu/2/at;%transfer orbit energy
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
vt1=(2*(et+mu/r1))^.5;%transfer velocity at periapsis1
vt2=(2*(et+mu./r2(i))).^.5;%transfer velocity at apoapsis
v2(i)=(mu./r2(i))^.5;%circular moon orbit velocity
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
del2=vt1-vt2+2*v2(i)-vesc2(i);%rhs

if del2-del1<0.00000000000001
ratio=r2(i)/r1;%finds the ratio
else
i=i+1;
end
end
 
Last edited:
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