Question

42. Imagine that NASA is planning a trip to Mercury, using a least energy orbit (Hohmann transfer orbit). Mercury is on average 0.39 AU from the Sun, but we wish to reach Mercury at its aphelion (0.49 AU). Is our travel time going to be greater or smaller than trying to reach it at its perihlion? a. longer, since we have a longer semi-major axis of the trip b. shorter, since we have a shorter semi-major axis of the trip c. the same travel time.

Answer 1

As the distance of the trip increase, the time to reach will be increase.

As the aphelion of mercury is 0.49 AU and its average distance from sun is 0.39 AU. We want to reach at its perihelion so the distance of perihelion from sun will be lower than the average distance.

This means to reach the perihilon the trip will have to cover more distance due to longer semi major axis of the trip. So time will be longer.

So the option (a) is the correct answer.

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