In astrodynamics a characteristic energy, a form of specific energy, is a measure of the energy required for an interplanetary mission that requires attaining an excess orbital velocity over an escape velocity required for additional orbital maneuvers. The unit of the characteristic energy is km2s-2.
Characteristic energy can be computed as:
where is the orbital velocity when the orbital distance tends to infinity. Note that, since the kinetic energy is, C3 is in fact equal to twice the magnitude of the specific orbital energy of the escaping object.
Read more about Characteristic Energy: Parabolic Trajectory, Hyperbolic Trajectory
Famous quotes containing the word energy:
“Reckoned physiologically, everything ugly weakens and afflicts man. It recalls decay, danger, impotence; he actually suffers a loss of energy in its presence. The effect of the ugly can be measured with a dynamometer. Whenever man feels in any way depressed, he senses the proximity of something “ugly.” His feeling of power, his will to power, his courage, his pride—they decline with the ugly, they increase with the beautiful.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)