Take-Off from Satellite Orbit

Abstract

The mass ratio or the characteristic velocity for the take-off of a space ship from the satellite orbit is computed for two cases: the radial thrust, and the circumferential thrust. The circumferential thrust is much more efficient in that the required mass ratio is much less than for the radial thrust. Both cases show, however, an increase of the required mass ratio and the characteristic velocity with a reduction in acceleration. With circumferential thrust, the characteristic velocity increases by a factor of two, when the acceleration is reduced from 1/2 g to 1/3000 g.

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