Aerospace Flight Dynamics - Out-of-Plane Maneuvers

Flashcards for Aerospace Flight Dynamics focusing on out-of-plane maneuvers.

δ (Delta)

Angle between the two orbital planes, also between the two orthogonal velocity vectors.

V1

Velocity of orbit 1 at the intersection point.

V2

Velocity of orbit 2 at the intersection point.

ur

Unit vector directed towards the intersection line of the two planes.

u⟂

Unit vector perpendicular to ur and lying on the orbital plane.

Δγ

The difference between the two flight path angles (γ2 - γ1).

Combined Maneuver

Maneuver executed with a single impulse to change orbital plane and parameters.

Pure Plane Change

A maneuver to change the inclination angle of an orbit without altering other orbital parameters.

Apocenter

The point in an orbit farthest from the central body; maneuvers at this point minimize ΔV for plane changes.