You can contribute by expanding it.
Advanced Orbital Mechanics are advanced methods one can use to provide significant delta-v returns or perform a task more efficiently. These maneuvers are usually harder to perform than other maneuvers so it is suggested that new players keep away from attempting these.
Bi-Elliptic Transfer[]
The Bi-Elliptic Transfer is a type of orbital transfer that can be used to move from an initial orbit to a target orbit. This transfer can sometimes be more efficient than a Hohmann transfer if performed correctly. The bi-elliptic transfer uses two transfer ellipses which are analogous to the transfer orbit used in the Hohmann transfer.
- Begin at periapsis. Burn prograde to form an ellipse.
- At the apoapsis of the first transfer ellipse, burn prograde to raise your periapsis to the altitude of the target orbit.
- At the periapsis of the second transfer ellipse, burn retrograde to insert into the target orbit.
Venus-Earth-Earth Gravity Assist[]
The Venus-Earth-Earth Gravity Assist (commonly VEEGA) is a specific gravity assist chain used to efficiently reach a target object in a higher orbit. This chain is most efficient when all assists and the target body encounter are directly followed by the next. This is to reduce the amount of TCMs and DSMs needed to correct the trajectory to get the next encounter. VEEGA can be easily performed in the SFS PC version due to the introduction of navigation mods that allow gravity assist chaining to be much easier.
The beginning of a VEEGA gravity assist chain. The navigation mod used is ANAIS by Altair.
Leveraging[]
Leveraging is a method one can use to raise or lower a craft's periapsis or apoapsis. Leveraging is commonly used with Earth, Venus and Mercury. Of these, V-leveraging is most common. The spacecraft is oftentimes placed into a resonant orbit with the flyby object to allow for easy transfers to the flyby object to reduce TCM count.