Orbit transfer and rendezvous maneuvers between inclined circular orbits

Abstract

The following orbit transfer and rendezvous maneuvers between inclined circular orbits are discussed: 1) the bielliptic transfer with plane change, 2) the Hohmann transfer with plane change, and 3) the “modified” Hohmann transfer, which consists of an in-plane Hohmann transfer to the final radius, followed by a third impulse at the line of nodes to change the interceptor’s plane to that of the target. The total AV requirements are given in terms of final-to-initial radius ratio for various plane change angles. The optimum plane change split for both the bielliptic and the Hohmann maneuvers is shown. The phasing angles and the rendezvous times are evaluated, and the regions where the bielliptic maneuver is either faster or requires less total AV than the modified Hohmann transfer are indicated. The possibility of the extremely long waiting time to obtain the correct phasing makes the Hohmann transfer with plane change an unattractive maneuver for rendezvous. © 1966 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., All rights reserved.