- #1
razidan
- 75
- 1
Hi all,
I've been following the launch of the first commercial lunar lander, SpaceIL.
Because of its small size, there is not enough fuel for a more direct approach to the moon, so the path they are taking is multiple orbits around the Earth with impulses at the perigee, at each orbit.
As I understand it, they are using the oberth effect to gain better fuel efficiency.
Here is my question - I've been wondering if one impulse that provides a lot of ## \Delta v## will be as efficient as many smaller impulses that build up to the same ## \Delta v##, say, in terms of mass of fuel used.
My guess is that many smaller impulses are better, because each time the engine fires, the speed is a bit faster (from the previous burn) so the oberth effect tells us the burn will be more efficient. But, I want to prove it to myself, also, I'm not sure I'm correct. I have no experience with astrodynamics or orbital mechanics
Thanks!
more info:
https://www.space.com/spaceil-beresheet.html
I've been following the launch of the first commercial lunar lander, SpaceIL.
Because of its small size, there is not enough fuel for a more direct approach to the moon, so the path they are taking is multiple orbits around the Earth with impulses at the perigee, at each orbit.
As I understand it, they are using the oberth effect to gain better fuel efficiency.
Here is my question - I've been wondering if one impulse that provides a lot of ## \Delta v## will be as efficient as many smaller impulses that build up to the same ## \Delta v##, say, in terms of mass of fuel used.
My guess is that many smaller impulses are better, because each time the engine fires, the speed is a bit faster (from the previous burn) so the oberth effect tells us the burn will be more efficient. But, I want to prove it to myself, also, I'm not sure I'm correct. I have no experience with astrodynamics or orbital mechanics
Thanks!
more info:
https://www.space.com/spaceil-beresheet.html