James.Denholm
Addon ponderer
Hey all,
I was just wondering, is there an equation out there that will (painlessly) give the orbital period of an orbit where the perihelion and aphelion are very, very different.
I ask only because I realise from working out the total orbital period, I can work out the time it takes to travel between the perihelion and the aphelion, hence work out how long an optimum hohman[sic?] transfer should be, hence work out what the relative positions of the two planets (ie, Jupiter should be x degrees "in fount" of Earth in it's orbit), hence be able to eye-ball possible launch dates in Celestia. I'd prefer to do it this way, rather than press buttons in TransX or IMFD because it keeps my brain more active, and makes me feel like I've accomplished something before I've taken off. :lol:
I was just wondering, is there an equation out there that will (painlessly) give the orbital period of an orbit where the perihelion and aphelion are very, very different.
I ask only because I realise from working out the total orbital period, I can work out the time it takes to travel between the perihelion and the aphelion, hence work out how long an optimum hohman[sic?] transfer should be, hence work out what the relative positions of the two planets (ie, Jupiter should be x degrees "in fount" of Earth in it's orbit), hence be able to eye-ball possible launch dates in Celestia. I'd prefer to do it this way, rather than press buttons in TransX or IMFD because it keeps my brain more active, and makes me feel like I've accomplished something before I've taken off. :lol: