Revision as of 23:49, 16 August 2012

Advanced Orbiting Maneuvers

This article will cover some more advanced orbiting maneuvers. The bi-elliptical transfer orbit can be more efficient (but slower) than the Hohmann transfer orbit in some cases. The other maneuvers will allow you to intercept other orbiting bodies, such as satellites or space stations.

Hohmann Transfer

Burn prograde at periapsis until the apoapsis reaches the desired altitude.

Then, at apoapsis, burn prograde until periapsis is at the desired altitude.

Burning retrograde at these same points will lower your orbit.

Bi-Elliptical Transfer

Start by burning prograde until your orbit becomes elliptical.

At apoapsis, burn prograde until the periapsis reaches the altitude of your desired orbit.

Once reaching periapsis, burn retrograde until your orbit is circularized.

Opposite burns at these same points will lower your orbit.

Orbital Plane Alignment

The first step in intercepting another orbiting body is to align your orbital plane with the target's orbital plane.

Next is to find the pivot point on your orbit that, when turned clockwise or counterclockwise (from the perspective of camera > ship > orbited object), will cause it to line up with the other orbit.

Next, find the midpoint between your prograde and retrograde motion on the horizon and point your ship toward it. Throttling prograde + 90 degrees on the horizon will cause your orbit to rotate clockwise. Prograde - 90 degrees on the horizon will rotate the orbit counterclockwise. It may take a few rotation sessions to perfect your orbit but this will allow you to match another orbital plane.

It is easier to achieve if your orbit is circular, mostly because you can line up the orbits in the map view much more easily.

Orbit Synchronization

In progress.

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