Hohmann Transfer
Orbit
Chapters 5
ASTRD
Astrodynamics
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DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
To learn HOW to solve for Hohmann Transfer Orbit trajectories
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COURSE CONTENTS
Fundamentals of Hohmann
Transfer Orbits
Hohmann Transfer
Calculations
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Fundamentals of
Hohmann
Transfer Orbit
ASTRD
Astrodynamics
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DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
Hohmann Transfer Orbit
• A Hohmann Transfer Orbit is a specific type of orbital maneuver used to
transfer a spacecraft between two orbits using the least amount of fuel. It
involves two key points:
1. Perihelion: The closest point to the Sun in the transfer orbit, which
coincides with the orbit of the planet the spacecraft is departing from (e.g.,
Earth).
2. Aphelion: The farthest point from the Sun in the transfer orbit, which
coincides with the orbit of the destination planet (e.g., Mars).
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Trajectory
A trajectory refers to the path that a spacecraft or any other object follows as it
moves through space under the influence of gravitational forces. This path can
be influenced by various factors, including the gravitational pull of planets,
moons, and the Sun, as well as any propulsion forces applied by the
spacecraft's engines.
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Walter Hohmann
• Walter Hohmann was born on March 18,
1880, in Hardheim, Germany.
• He studied civil engineering at the Technical
University of Munich.
• Hohmann developed a keen interest in space
travel during the early 20th century, a time
when the field was still largely theoretical and
speculative.
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Walter Hohmann
• Hohmann's seminal contribution to
spaceflight came with his 1925 publication,
"Die Erreichbarkeit der Himmelskörper" ("The
Accessibility of Celestial Bodies"). In this
work, he described what would later be
known as the Hohmann Transfer Orbit.
• Hohmann's work laid the theoretical
groundwork for modern orbital mechanics
and space mission planning.
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Process of Hohmann Transfer Orbit
• Initial Orbit: The spacecraft starts in a circular orbit around the Sun, which
is the same as Earth's orbit.
• First Burn: The spacecraft performs a burn (a controlled engine firing) to
increase its velocity and move into an elliptical transfer orbit. This burn is
done at the perihelion (Earth’s orbit).
• Transfer Orbit: The spacecraft follows this elliptical orbit until it reaches the
aphelion (Mars' orbit).
• Second Burn: Once it reaches Mars' orbit, another burn adjusts the
spacecraft’s velocity to match Mars' orbit, allowing it to be captured by Mars'
gravity or to enter orbit around Mars.
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Hohmann Transfer Orbit in Action
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Hohmann
Transfer
Calculations
ASTRD
Astrodynamics
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DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
Problem Solving
Our spacecraft has a semi-major axis of 7000 km and
is in a circular orbit on Earth. We wish to put it at a
20,000 km semi-major axis circular orbit. Calculate the
total amount of v required to transfer to the new orbit
using a Hohmann Transfer.
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Problem Solving
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Problem Solving
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Problem Solving
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Problem Solving
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Problem Solving
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Problem Solving
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Problem Solving
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Problem Solving
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Problem Solving
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Problem Solving
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Problem Solving
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Problem Solving
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THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
ANY QUESTIONS?
PREPARED BY:
Engr. Ivan Lance B. Casupang
0969 158 9477
[email protected]
