WHETHER YOU CALL IT Orbital Mechanics or Astrodynamics, we are concerned with the application of ballistics and celestial mechanics to the practical problems concerning the motion of rockets and other spacecraft. The motion of these vessels is usually calculated from Newton's Laws of Motion and his Law of Universal Gravitation. Orbital Mechanics, then, is a core discipline within space-mission design and control.

Celestial Mechanics treats more broadly the dynamics of systems under the influence of gravity, including both spacecraft and such natural astronomical bodies as star systems, planets, moons, asteroids and comets. Orbital Mechanics? It focuses on spacecraft trajectories, including orbital maneuvers, orbital plane changes, and interplanetary transfers, and is used by mission planners to predict the results of propulsive maneuvers. General Relativity is a more exact theory than Newton's laws for calculating orbits, and is sometimes necessary for greater accuracy or in ultra-high-gravity situations (e.g. orbits near the Sun). And for far travels in the remoter Universe it is a gilt-edged priority. And so we ended up doing another solo Show, back in the Wayback when we still had a weekly program and there was still a real Radio Valencia. Next week: Apocalypse, Armageddon and Ronald Reagan! Hey, Kids! Catch the on-line Ask Dr. Hal! Show at 7:00 PM every Second Sunday of the month. That's January 10th. We've moved from Zoom to Twitch and, we're told, have solved all technical problems. Cartoons! Monsters! Beautiful Singers! Poetry! Science! Win Prizes! Get questions answered! Even learn about Stop-Motion Animation! Why, you'll love it! Reach us through https://gonzotronics.net/adh/ Better cut-and-paste that one.