Hohmann transfer
Fuel-efficient orbit change
A Hohmann transfer is the most fuel-efficient orbital maneuver for moving a spacecraft between two circular orbits around the same body.
The spacecraft fires its engines twice: once to enter an elliptical transfer orbit, and again at the opposite end to circularize into the target orbit.
The probe will reach Mars via a Hohmann transfer in about nine months.
The technique sacrifices speed for efficiency—faster transfers exist but require more fuel.
Spacecraft maneuver measurement
- ellipseConic section curve
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- orbitCurved celestial path
- perigeeOrbit's closest point
apogee · eccentricity · inclination · angular momentum · conic section · two-body problem · orbital plane
Between celestial bodies
- launch windowScheduled time for departure
- planetary alignmentWorlds sharing orbital plane
- mission planningPreparing how to achieve objectives
- rendezvousScheduled meeting at agreed location
Vehicle efficiency rating
- cost-effectiveGiving good return cheaply
- energy conservationUnchanging total in closed systems
- trade-offsSacrifices for gains
delta-v
Spacecraft maneuver measurement
- ellipseConic section curve
- trajectoryPath of moving object
- orbitCurved celestial path
perigee · apogee · eccentricity · inclination · angular momentum · conic section · two-body problem · orbital plane
interplanetary
Between celestial bodies
- launch windowScheduled time for departure
- planetary alignmentWorlds sharing orbital plane
- mission planningPreparing how to achieve objectives
fuel economy
Vehicle efficiency rating
- cost-effectiveGiving good return cheaply
- energy conservationUnchanging total in closed systems
- trade-offsSacrifices for gains
- spaceflightlaunch, astronaut, spacecraft, liftoff, orbit
- Space Zonesouter space, deep space, exosphere, thermosphere, mesosphere
- Orbitalsorbit, orbital, atomic orbital, electron shell, subshell