Question: A space probe is to be placed in a circular orbit of radius 4000 km about the planet Mars. As the probe reaches A, the

A space probe is to be placed in a circular orbit of radius 4000 km about the planet Mars. As the probe reaches A, the point of its original trajectory closest to Mars, it is inserted into a first elliptic transfer orbit by reducing its speed. This orbit brings it to Point B with a much reduced velocity. There the probe is inserted into a second transfer orbit by further reducing its speed. Knowing that the mass of Mars is 0.1074 times the mass of the earth, that rA = 9000 km and rB = 180,000 km, and that the probe approaches A on a parabolic trajectory, determine the time needed for the space probe to travel from A to B on its first transfer orbit.

A space probe is to be placed in a circular

Approach trajecetory Second transfer orbit 4000 km First transfer orbit

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For earth R 6373 km 6373 10 6 m GM gR 2 981 6373 10 6 2 39843 10 12 m 3 s 2 For Mars GM 01074 39843 ... View full answer

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