Mathematical relation between the Hohmann transfer and continuous-low thrust Maneuvers
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Co-author Robert Bettinger was an AFIT PhD candidate at the time of this article. (AFIT-ENY-DS-14-J-13, June 2014 graduation)
Abstract
Employed primarily by spacecraft with electric propulsion systems, spiral orbital transfers are characterized by continuous thrust throughout the maneuver. The ΔV required to conduct a continuous-low-thrust spiral transfer can be determined if the limit of the ΔV equation for a Hohmann transfer is evaluated as the number of consecutive Hohmann transfers, or burn frequency, approaches infinity. Abstract © Elsevier.
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