deltavtotal

Delta-v, often written as Δv, is a fundamental concept in orbital mechanics and astronautics. It represents the change in velocity required to achieve a specific orbital maneuver. Think of it as the "effort" or "cost" in terms of velocity change needed to move from one orbit to another, or to change the trajectory of a spacecraft.

This change in velocity is a crucial metric for mission planners because it directly relates to the amount of propellant a spacecraft must carry. Propellant is heavy, and carrying more propellant means a larger, more expensive rocket. Therefore, minimizing the delta-v required for a mission is a primary goal in spacecraft design and trajectory optimization.

Different maneuvers have different delta-v requirements. For instance, escaping Earth's gravity requires a significant delta-v. Changing from a low Earth orbit to a geostationary orbit also has a specific delta-v cost. Even minor course corrections during a mission consume delta-v.

The total delta-v for a mission, often denoted as delta-v total or Δv_total, is the sum of all the individual delta-v expenditures for all the planned maneuvers, from launch to the final destination and any subsequent operations. Engineers meticulously calculate this total delta-v to ensure the spacecraft has enough propellant to complete its entire mission. It is a key parameter in determining the feasibility and cost of space missions.