Orbital maneuver

Orbital maneuver is accomplished by applying a force to the spacecraft's center of mass.

Impulsive maneuvers

Impulsive maneuvers result in instantaneous velocity changes, referred to as delta-v($\Delta \mathbf {v} \,$). They are the most efficient as no energy is lost to the gravity drag.

Orbital meneuvers using high thrust-to-weight propulsion systems (e.g. chemical rockets) can be approximated as impulsive maneuvers.

Non-impulsive meneuvers

Non-impulsive maneuvers result in velocity changes effected over longer periods of time. They are less efficient as energy can be lost due to gravity drag. However those maneuvers can be the only option when efficient but low thrust-to-weight propulsion systems are used (e.g. ion engines).

See also

• Delta-v
• Delta-v budget
• Hohmann transfer