On the Non-coplanar Transfer of Type II between Two Circular Orbits

Abstract

The paper regards two-impulse transfer from a low parking orbit into a circular orbit with the altitude less than 36 000 km, while the inclination correction is carried out with each maneuver. An approximate formula is proposed capable of evaluating analytically the optimal value of the first correction of inclination; the corresponding accuracy data are given. Examples are provided to show the operational efficiency of an optimal non-coplanar transfer of the type II with injections of satellites into various target orbits from Russian launch sites with due account of the available launch azimuths.