Calculation
In a pure inclination change, only the inclination of the orbit is changed while all other orbital characteristics (radius, shape, etc.) remains the same as before. Delta-v required for an inclination change can be calculated as follows:
where:
- is the orbital eccentricity
- is the argument of periapsis
- is the true anomaly
- is the mean motion
- is the semi-major axis
For more complicated manoeuvres which may involve a combination of change in inclination and orbital radius, the amount of delta v is the vector difference between the velocity vectors of the initial orbit and the desired orbit at the transfer point.
Read more about this topic: Orbital Inclination Change
Famous quotes containing the word calculation:
“To my thinking boomed the Professor, begging the question as usual, the greatest triumph of the human mind was the calculation of Neptune from the observed vagaries of the orbit of Uranus.
And yours, said the P.B.”
—Samuel Beckett (19061989)
“Common sense is the measure of the possible; it is composed of experience and prevision; it is calculation appled to life.”
—Henri-Frédéric Amiel (18211881)