General Question Using Orbiter for my school's Science Fair

[Krishnan]

Greetings Orbiters!

I am using Orbiter for my High-School's Science Fair.
I will be comparing various rendezvous methods of an XR-2 Ravenstar to the ISS.

These include Direct Hohmann Transfer from 200km circular Parking Orbit, Launching into the target orbit then tangentially raising/lowering it to change catchup rate, and finally a slow co-orbital phasing type, where I slowly "step up" the orbit each time to the ISS Orbit.

My dependent variables will be Delta-V expenditure, Time Elapsed, and Closing Velocity (which I would love to graph relative velocity over time somehow).

I have been interested in Spaceflight since I played Orbiter, and now I decided to do a project on it.

Please give me feedback! I have more formal information if you are interested.

 

[n72.75]

That sounds like a great idea!

 

[Krishnan]

That sounds like a great idea!

I'm glad you think it's a great idea!
I've never done a science fair in my life and it was a bit nerve wracking seeing the biology kids do stuff about DNA Replication and bacteria.
My hope is that my project is interesting and unique compared to anyone else (my science teacher said she has never seen such a thing before) and most importantly, I enjoy doing it!

 

[nbcfrosty]

Did the same in 7th grade. Compared different transfer methods fuel wise. Won 2nd place.

 

[Krishnan]

Did the same in 7th grade. Compared different transfer methods fuel wise. Won 2nd place.

Woww! Please tell me more and any advice! I am scared because the delta v and time can be calculated using equations, so this experiment might not be as "valid" as that of others in the competiton

 

[Max-Q]

Woww! Please tell me more and any advice! I am scared because the delta v and time can be calculated using equations, so this experiment might not be as "valid" as that of others in the competiton

So compare the two.
Theoretical vs actual. Maybe fly it several times and average them to minimize the pilot error factor?
I don't know, just spinning off ideas here
Regardless, I think it sounds awesome!

 

[Krishnan]

So compare the two.
Theoretical vs actual. Maybe fly it several times and average them to minimize the pilot error factor?
I don't know, just spinning off ideas here
Regardless, I think it sounds awesome!

I specifically have to have a Independent and Dependent Variable.
However, I'll do that for repeated trials, which I have to do at least 5 of each

 

[Krishnan]

And guess who won 1st place in Physics for the Science Fair?
Thank you to the community!