Hohmann Transfer Orbit Calculator mechanism

Model scope

The honest label is substantially correct for an idealized coplanar circular-to-circular Hohmann transfer, but the product needs an explicit Δv2 formula, an inward/outward sign or magnitude convention, a total-Δv definition, and positive-input/unit validation before it can be labeled PASS.

• The transfer semi-major axis formula a_t=(r1+r2)/2 and transfer time formula T_transfer=π√(a_t^3/GM) are correct for the ideal two-body, coplanar Hohmann half-ellipse, with T_transfer measured from the first impulse to the second.
• Δv2 is stated only as 'analogous', which is ambiguous. For an outward transfer (r2>r1), the standard positive burn magnitude is Δv2=√(GM/r2)·(1−√(2r1/(r1+r2))).
• The stated Δv1 formula produces a signed negative value for an inward transfer (r2<r1), whereas a delta-v budget normally reports the positive magnitude. The implementation must explicitly choose signed burns or magnitudes and handle inward and outward transfers consistently.
• Total Δv is not explicitly defined; for a budget it should be |Δv1|+|Δv2|, not an unqualified algebraic sum.

Units and conventions

• GM must use units consistent with radii: if GM is in km^3/s^2 and radii are in km, delta-v is in km/s and transfer time is in seconds.
• All radii are positive distances from the central body's center, not altitudes above its surface.
• GM is the gravitational parameter μ=G·M and must be positive.
• The standard formulas assume two-body Keplerian motion, circular initial and final orbits, coplanar orbits, and instantaneous tangential impulses.

Inspectable vector

One of 4 source-bound review vectors:

{
  "inputs": {
    "GM_km3_s2": 398600,
    "r1_km": 7000,
    "r2_km": 10500
  },
  "expected_outputs": {
    "a_t_km": 8750,
    "delta_v1_km_s": 0.720234,
    "delta_v2_km_s": 0.650468,
    "total_delta_v_km_s": 1.370702,
    "transfer_time_s": 4072.802
  },
  "working": "a_t=(7000+10500)/2=8750 km. v_c1=√(398600/7000)=√56.942857=7.546049 km/s. Δv1=7.546049·(√(21000/17500)−1)=7.546049·(√1.2−1)=7.546049·(1.095445−1)=0.720234 km/s. v_c2=√(398600/10500)=√37.961905=6.161323 km/s. Δv2=6.161323·(1−√(14000/17500))=6.161323·(1−√0.8)=6.161323·(1−0.894427)=0.650468 km/s. Total Δv=0.720234+0.650468=1.370702 km/s. T=π√(8750^3/398600)=π√1680687.4=π·1296.413=4072.802 s."
}

Failure boundary

• Division-by-zero or invalid square roots occur if GM≤0 or either radius≤0; these inputs require validation.
• The calculator should reject or explicitly define the r1=r2 case. It is mathematically valid with zero delta-v and a half-period equal to half the circular orbital period, but it is not a transfer requiring two impulses.
• Without a stated sign convention, inward-transfer delta-v values can be negative even though a delta-v budget is conventionally nonnegative.
• A km^3/s^2 GM combined with radii in meters, or an m^3/s^2 GM combined with radii in kilometers, gives numerically wrong outputs by large scale factors.
• The formulas omit plane changes, finite-burn effects, atmospheric drag, third-body perturbations, eccentricity, and non-circular initial or final orbits.

Other records

Sources and evidence

These pointers bind the page to evidence. They do not grant authority or collapse verification into deployment.

• VERIFIED_LEDGER.json
• evidence-tranche4/tranche4-results.json