All Questions
Tagged with orbital-mechanicsphysics
75 questions
1vote
1answer
169views
Why don't Solar Eclipses take place frequently? [closed]
To my understanding, a Solar eclipse occurs when the moon (Luna) passes in front of the sun, blocking it completely from the viewer's perspective (I also know that the moon takes roughly one month to ...
- 2,493
9votes
4answers
3kviews
Would it take less thrust overall to put an object into higher orbit?
Obviously, the engineers put things up to LEO for a reason, but my understanding is that much of the burn is used in getting the object up to orbital velocity. Higher orbits are slower, but is the ...
3votes
1answer
218views
What is the maximum possible delta v we could achieve from assembling a chemical rocket in orbit (not launching a final stage from the ground)?
To clarify, this is about an orbital assembly. I am not asking the maximum weight of launch vehicles or anything relating to that. This is a pure hypothetical scenario in which we have an infinite ...
- 39
1vote
0answers
65views
What is the order of magnitude of perturbing forces in a lunar orbit in relation to the orbital altitude?
Although there are many sources that compare the magnitude of perturbing forces in an Earth orbit (see for example the answer to this question), I haven't been able to find the same information for ...
- 11
3votes
1answer
830views
Orbit Determination from Position and Velocity
I'm working on a game, somewhat similar to KSP (no building rockets, just beautiful orbital acrobatics). It's in a "small" star system, radius of 6 AU, and it features celestial bodies ...
- 33
3votes
3answers
290views
sun pointing coordinate system design
I am trying to program slew maneuver procedure for a spacecraft. My goal is to define a target coordinate system that is aligned with sun vector so that the spacecraft can slew its attitude to always ...
- 31
2votes
1answer
395views
Converting Keplerian Orbital Elements into 2D State Vectors in Unity C#
I have done an extensive amount of research into this topic, but am really struggling to implement the math necessary to pull this off correctly. Just for some context: I'm trying to create a semi-...
- 21
3votes
2answers
164views
Which notes and/or books on mathematics, physics, 3D geometry preparatory to the study of orbital dynamics?
I have a master's degree in aerospace engineering and I'm preparing for job interviews for orbital mechanics/space flight dynamics engineer positions and I need material about maths, physics, 3D ...
- 433
2votes
1answer
266views
Will this homopolar motor self rotate in a vacuum?
Is it convenient to ask about the motor from the link: Roller Homopolar Motor When it is on the table, the motor rotates freely, together with the attached conductor. Will the upper motor in the ...
2votes
1answer
230views
Two different Hill equations for space rendezvous
I have stumbled upon two variations of Hill’s equations across numerous scientific journals: Why are the mean motion’s positive and negative signs of these two Hill equations reversed? And are these ...
12votes
1answer
2kviews
If Earth had a second moon, where would it be positioned? [closed]
Could Earth theoretically have another moon, beside the existing one, that would have a stable orbit? If it is possible, could Newtonian physics describe where it would be (i.e its position relative ...
- 231
3votes
0answers
142views
What is this thing that goes zipping past the Electron launch?
Watching the Electron launch 07 October 2022 on https://www.rocketlabusa.com/live-stream, what do I see in the video at T + 9:12, just after they confirm secondary engine cut off? I thought it was a ...
- 131
4votes
2answers
1kviews
Satellite’s Position and Path on 2D Map [duplicate]
When the ISS orbit the Earth, its path traced on a 2D Mercator Earth Map is similar to a sinusoidal wave. I am wondering is there any way to determine the trig function of the wave, knowing the ...
7votes
6answers
5kviews
Could a spacecraft theoretically fly a smooth, curved arc of a turn in space like an aircraft?
I understand there in no air is space which is what allows an aircraft to fly a curved flight path. This is strictly a theoretical question given today's technology. Here are the conditions: There ...
- 79
7votes
5answers
3kviews
Gravitational field of the Moon and Earth
Is there any method to find a point or plane in space where the gravitational field of the Moon and Earth are the same? And if so, what happens to a spacecraft if it passes through that point or ...
