Little question...

[Crazybanana]

I keep seeing the term 'delta V', but I have no idea of what it means...I guess V means velocity but delta?

[Punk]

I am no good at maths anymore but the v does stand for velocity and the delta is a name for a triangular symbol used in maths which has a slightly thicker bottom edge. The delta symbol stands for 'change' so the symbol can be used to describe a change in a value, in this case delta v is the total remaining change in velocity a ship can make given the fuel in the ship and the efficiency of the engines. And as you'll have worked out you need a little velocity to go anywhere in space.

[Nibb31]

delta V is the change in velocity. If you are going 1000m/s and you need to achieve 2500m/s to reach a particular orbit, then the delta-v requirement of your rocket is 1500m/s.

In space, actual velocity has little meaning because it always depends on your referential (Kerbin, Kerbol, the Mun...). Delta-v is relative to your current velocity. It is also directly linked to your rocket, and therefore the fuel you are carrying.

Edited October 2, 2012 by Nibb31

[EndlessWaves]

the delta is a name for a triangular symbol used in maths which has a slightly thicker bottom edge.

It's the capital letter Delta from the greek alphabet and is often used in rocket science/physics as part of the name of variables that concern the amount change in something.

DeltaV is basically the range of the rocket. You can't measure it in meters stuff keeps going in space so you have to sum up the effort it takes your ship to get itself moving and stop itself and DeltaV is the number that comes out. If your total DeltaV with your current fuel is more than the DeltaV required for the maneuver you want to do then you can achieve that maneuver without running out of fuel.

[Crazybanana]

Ok, I got it, thanks guys!