Okorok & Orbita
Okorok
Have you ever compared the efficiency of a Hohmann transfer versus a bi‑elliptic maneuver for interplanetary travel?
Orbita
Yeah, I’ve done the math. A Hohmann swing is usually cheaper when the destination is close and the delta‑v budget is tight – it’s a single burn out and a single burn back, so the propellant count stays low. A bi‑elliptic is a three‑burn trick that can beat the Hohmann only when the target planet is far out, like Mars or beyond, and you’re willing to spend extra time and a big burn at periapsis to raise the apogee. In practice, the extra propellant needed for the middle burn usually outweighs the gain, so I only recommend bi‑elliptic for very specific cases where fuel savings are marginal but time isn’t critical.
Okorok
Sounds about right; the math always lines up when you break it down into the two burns versus the three‑burn sequence. The extra periapsis thrust really drags the delta‑v up, so unless you’re chasing a marginal propellant win and can afford the added orbital leg, the Hohmann stays the practical choice. The trick is to keep the numbers exact and avoid over‑complicating the trade‑offs.
Orbita
Exactly, keep the equations clean and the burn count in mind. A Hohmann is clean, a bi‑elliptic is only useful when the propellant advantage outweighs the extra burn time. In most missions that turns out to be the Hohmann anyway.
Okorok
Got it, the math lines up that way. Still, it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers—just make sure the numbers stay simple and the burn plan stays tight.
Orbita
Got it, just keep the burn schedule tight and the numbers tidy. If you ever want a quick sanity check, let me know.
Okorok
Thanks, I’ll keep the schedule tight and the numbers tidy. I’ll let you know if a sanity check is needed.
Orbita
Sounds good, let me know when you need a quick delta‑v check.
Okorok
Will do. Thanks for the offer. I'll keep the equations crisp and the burns tight.