Totally random: Anyone done the math for...

[troyn123]

...figuring out the delta-V required to change Gilly's orbit? Completely random question, I know... But I accidentally crashed into it while trying to land on it, and the idea "hit" me. What would it take to move Gilly? :-D

Edited July 18, 2013 by troyn123
Answered.

[astropapi1]

Scott Manley did:

You're welcome.

[NoMrBond]

[UmbralRaptor]

Ignoring that all planets and moons in KSP are on rails...

It really doesn't take much ÃŽâ€V to alter Gilly's orbit significantly. The problem is that a ship capable of supplying that ÃŽâ€V would have to be ~0.1 - 10% the mass of Gilly, depending on propulsion details.

[troyn123]

LOL! That video is ridiculous. Thanks folks!

[Tw1]

Remember, Delta V just means change in velocity. It's not the same as energy.

[Teh_SAUCE]

Unfortunately all of the bodies is KSP are on rails. The force your ship puts on them has no effect on them.

If real physics were used, the force it would take would depend on what you consider "moving it", because even the smallest force would move the body a small amount.

Also, it would be a matter of energy required to move the body, rather than delta v.

In terms of energy, it would take (1/2)(1.24 x 10^17)(274)^2 or 4.65 x 10^21 joules of energy minimum to completely stop gilly relative to eve and have it come crashing straight in.

Isp * units of fuel * 10000 = joules of kinetic energy a ship can gain.

Conclusion : It would take 4.65 x 10^14 or 4.65 hundred million million units of fuel to stop gilly's orbit. Sorry, not happening anytime soon Hope this was at least informative

Peter