View source for Orbital mechanics

==Intro==
Most missions to mars are based on a [[Hohmann trajectory]]. This trajectory is the fastest trajectory possible that is minimum energy (based on the [[two body problem]]). Less energetic trajectories are available using the [[three body patched trajectories]] ([[Interplanetary super highway]]) but these can take a considerably longer length of time. 

For basic mission planning the [[delta V]] of the two body problem is used to calculate the [[mass fraction]] for the trip between [[Earth]] and [[Mars]]. The mass fraction tells mission planers how much mass they need to deliver to [[LEO]] in order to get a given mass to Mars. For calculating other trajectories Numeric or algebraic techniques can be used.

Some useful algebraic techniques that will be presented shortly are:

Finding the [[Orbital plane]] –Useful linear algebra for considering the three dimensional nature of the problem.

[[Orbital Intersections]] –Useful geometry for finding where two orbits intersect each other.

==Links to New Mars Discussions==
*[http://www.newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2442 Orbital mechanics] First post: Mon Mar 15, 2004 12:04 pm, Last Post: Sun Jul 10, 2005 2:29 pm<br>
*[http://www.newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2410 Zero energy trajectories - a thread to discuss this topic] First post, Thu Mar 25, 2004 5:47 pm, Last Post: Fri Apr 02, 2004 6:51 pm

==Online Textbooks==

*[http://ads.harvard.edu/books/1989fcm..book/ The Foundations of Celestial Mechanics]

==External Links==
Orbital mechanics from: [[http://www.braeunig.us/space/orbmech.htm Rocket and Space technology]]<br><br>
Orbital Mechanics form [[http://www.marsacademy.com/traj.htm The Mars academy]]

[[Category:Interplanetary Transportation]]