Transfer orbit

In orbital mechanics, a transfer orbit is an intermediate elliptical orbit that is used to move a spacecraft in an orbital maneuver from one circular, or largely circular, orbit to another. There are several types of transfer orbits, which vary in their energy efficiency and speed of transfer. These include: Hohmann transfer orbit, an elliptical orbit used to transfer a spacecraft between two circular orbits of different altitudes in the same plane Bi-elliptic transfer, a slower method of transfer, but one that may be more efficient than a Hohmann transfer orbit Geostationary transfer orbit or geosynchronous transfer orbit is usually also a Hohmann transfer orbit Lunar transfer orbit is an orbit that touches Low Earth orbit and a lunar orbit.

Elliptical orbit used to move a spacecraft from one circular orbit to another

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In orbital mechanics, a transfer orbit is an intermediate elliptical orbit that is used to move a spacecraft in an orbital maneuver from one circular, or largely circular, orbit to another.^[1][2]

There are several types of transfer orbits, which vary in their energy efficiency and speed of transfer. These include:

• Hohmann transfer orbit, an elliptical orbit used to transfer a spacecraft between two circular orbits of different altitudes in the same plane^[3]
• Bi-elliptic transfer, a slower method of transfer, but one that may be more efficient than a Hohmann transfer orbit^[4]
• Geostationary transfer orbit or geosynchronous transfer orbit is usually also a Hohmann transfer orbit^[5]
• Lunar transfer orbit is an orbit that touches Low Earth orbit and a lunar orbit.^[6]

References

[edit]

1. ^ "Transfer Orbit". Science Direct. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
2. ^ Cook, John (3 December 2024). "Efficiently transferring to a much higher orbit". John D. Cook Consulting.
3. ^ "Hohman Transfer". orbital-machanics.space. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
4. ^ "Bi-elliptic Hohmann transfer". orbital-mechanics.space. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
5. ^ "Geostationary transfer orbit". The European Space Agency. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
6. ^ "Mastering Lunar Transfer Orbit Calculations: A Comprehensive Guide". Diverse Daily. 18 May 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2025.

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