A6_3 Taking the Moon to Mars

Authors

  • Christopher Philip Wallis University of Leicester
  • Rafferty James Lindon University of Leicester
  • Elliott Keith Day University of Leicester
  • Joseph Keith Mayes University of Leicester
  • Massimiliano Favaro-Bedford University of Leicester

Abstract

We apply the Method of Patched Conics to estimate the trajectory the Moon would take if it were
to be removed from its current orbit and placed in the same orbit at Mars. We calculate that
the velocity changes at Earth and Mars required for such a trajectory are 1906 m/s and 1356 m/s
respectively. We determine that it would take one coal burning power plant in excess of 11012
years to produce enough energy for just one velocity change, making the concept predictably
unfeasible with current technology.

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Published

31-10-2018

How to Cite

Wallis, C. P., Lindon, R. J., Day, E. K., Mayes, J. K., & Favaro-Bedford, M. (2018). A6_3 Taking the Moon to Mars. Physics Special Topics, 17(1). Retrieved from https://journals.le.ac.uk/index.php/pst/article/view/2924

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 1 (2018): Physics Special Topics

Section

Articles