3.2.

1 Orbital maneuvers and Hohmann transfer

Space Mission Design and Operations
Prof. Claude Nicollier
Maneuvers in-orbit

A maneuver on orbit is the modification of the orbit of a satellite by

adding a velocity (ΔV) on the initial orbit.
In the case of an initial circular orbit, a velocity is added in the direction
of the circular velocity, the orbit becomes elliptical with high energy. The
semi-major axis is larger than the radius of the initial circular orbit.

In the course, the problem is simplified such as only instantaneous ΔV

will be considered.

Space Mission Design and Operations

Hohmann transfer between two circular orbits
The Hohmann transfer is a transfer between one circular orbit to
another circular orbit around the same central body,

Hohmann transfer is the most efficient transfer from one circular

orbit to another one: the added ΔV are in the direction of the
circular velocity,
And maximize the increase in the kinetic energy.

To determines ΔV1 and ΔV2, the velocity and the energy per unit
mass (only depending on the semi-major axis, ε = - μ / 2a) of an
elliptical orbit are used.

A similar set of maneuvers can be performed in order to go from a

circular orbit to another circular orbit of smaller radius, in this
case, instead of having posigrade ΔVs in the direction of the
velocity vector, ΔVs are retrograde.

Space Mission Design and Operations

Hohmann Transfer – Summary

Space Mission Design and Operations

3.2.2 Hohmann transfer – Case of small ΔV
Space Mission Design and Operations
Prof. Claude Nicollier
Hohmann transfer – Case of small ΔV
This Hohmann transfer is often used for rendezvous at Low Earth Orbit.

Space Mission Design and Operations

Hohmann transfer – Case of small ΔV – Summary

Space Mission Design and Operations

3.2.3 Change of orbital plane Smart 1 orbits the Earth and Moon in ever-
increasing ellipses

Space Mission Design and Operations

Prof. Claude Nicollier

Credits: AOES Medialab, ESA 2002

Change of orbital plane

“i” indicates the initial orbit, “f” the final orbit

ω + θ is the argument of latitude.

The period of the orbit and the semi-major axis

don’t change, the final velocity has the same
amplitude than the initial velocity.
The parameters changing are:
- the inclination
- the right ascension of the ascending node,
- the longitude of the ascending node,

The inclination change of the orbit is usually not

recommended as ΔVs needed are always very
high. However, if it has to be done, it should be
done when crossing the equator.

Space Mission Design and Operations

Change orbital plane at equator crossing

Change of orbital plane best done at equator crossing.

This is generally costly; in LEO, a 10°change of orbital

plane costs a ΔV of close to 1.4 km/s, and consequently
a large quantity of propellant!

Space Mission Design and Operations