Hohmann’s Minimum-Energy Interplanetary Transfer
- The minimum-energy transfer between circular orbits is an elliptical trajectory called the Hohmann trajectory. It is shown at right for the Earth-Mars case, where the minimum total delta-v expended is 5.6 km/s.
- The values of the energy per unit mass on the circular orbit and Hohmann trajectory are shown, along with the velocities at perihelion (closest to Sun) and aphelion (farthest from Sun) on the Hohmann trajectory and the circular velocity in Earth or Mars orbit.
- The differences between these velocities are the required delta-v values in the rocket equation.