A Chapman-like Challenge
I have some questions that are not strictly related to the Chapman Challenges, but this seems to be the forum thread for high-end discussions of TransX, IMFD and slingshot trajectories, so here goes...
I am working on a new Voyager addon. The spacecraft has sixteen 0.9 N thrusters, four working in the Z+ direction. So main thurst is only 3.6 Newtons. The thrusters have an Isp of 2109 and there is 103 kg of hydrazine fuel. There is a total Dv of 115 m/s. This is all that is available for course corrections after the initial ejection burn from LEO. I notice that the Chapman Probes have a total Dv in the 1200-1300 m/s range.
Question 1: Is it realistic to expect Orbiternuats to perform the Jupiter-Saturn-Uranus-Neptune slingshots with only 115 m/s for course corrections? Can the initial burn be that accurate using TransX and IMFD? If not, I will include multiple Spacecraft3 configurations: one with historically accurate performance, and one with "enhanced" performance similar to Chapman, and perhaps an "accurate but impatient" config with 115 m/s Dv but increased thrust so that burns are shorter and attitude control more responsive.
Question 2: I plan on including a launch scenario with TransX all set up. What would you say is the preferred version -- the one included with the Orbirter 2006 download (3.10), or the latest 3.13?
I have read this thread with great interest. I am too consumed with my own stuff right now to try the Chapman Probes, but I am looking forward to it! I also want to express my gratitude for Flytandem's tutorials and for this Chapman forum thread. Considering the power and flexibility of TransX and IMFD, it is amazing (well, scandalous, really) how marginal the documentation is that comes with those add-ons. It is a testament to your perseverance that you guys can accomplish so much with those important add-ons.
I have some questions that are not strictly related to the Chapman Challenges, but this seems to be the forum thread for high-end discussions of TransX, IMFD and slingshot trajectories, so here goes...
I am working on a new Voyager addon. The spacecraft has sixteen 0.9 N thrusters, four working in the Z+ direction. So main thurst is only 3.6 Newtons. The thrusters have an Isp of 2109 and there is 103 kg of hydrazine fuel. There is a total Dv of 115 m/s. This is all that is available for course corrections after the initial ejection burn from LEO. I notice that the Chapman Probes have a total Dv in the 1200-1300 m/s range.
Question 1: Is it realistic to expect Orbiternuats to perform the Jupiter-Saturn-Uranus-Neptune slingshots with only 115 m/s for course corrections? Can the initial burn be that accurate using TransX and IMFD? If not, I will include multiple Spacecraft3 configurations: one with historically accurate performance, and one with "enhanced" performance similar to Chapman, and perhaps an "accurate but impatient" config with 115 m/s Dv but increased thrust so that burns are shorter and attitude control more responsive.
Question 2: I plan on including a launch scenario with TransX all set up. What would you say is the preferred version -- the one included with the Orbirter 2006 download (3.10), or the latest 3.13?
I have read this thread with great interest. I am too consumed with my own stuff right now to try the Chapman Probes, but I am looking forward to it! I also want to express my gratitude for Flytandem's tutorials and for this Chapman forum thread. Considering the power and flexibility of TransX and IMFD, it is amazing (well, scandalous, really) how marginal the documentation is that comes with those add-ons. It is a testament to your perseverance that you guys can accomplish so much with those important add-ons.