Intercepting Bop

[jfull]

I've got a ship in a high equatorial orbit of Jool now and I can't quite figure out the most efficient way to get an intercept with Bop.

I could change plane completely to match Bop, but I can't help but feel that there's a more efficient way

Edited February 27, 2014 by jfull

[Jimbimbibble]

The only way to do it in 1 burn is to have the planet lined up perfectly, which could take a very long time (or not happen at all). You would either have to hit Bop exactly at one of the nodes with your current inclination or combine your plane change and transfer burn. Both options suck unless you can do precise calculations and there is no mod for it that I am aware of. Just make your plane change first and then go for intercept. You'll lose some dV but it's worth avoiding the hassle, especially since your orbit is so high.

[jfull]

After waiting a few orbits, I actually did find a low-dV way to intercept Bop close to one of the nodes.

However, it would cause me to arrive at Bop at a very odd angle.

I'm wondering which option is more efficient in terms of dV:

Getting an intercept at the node with less than half the dV it would take to match Bop's plane, but having to make a somewhat larger burn to circularize around Bop (even more if I want to move to a more equatorial orbit)

or

Doing the full plane change but arriving at a better angle.

[Kasuha]

What would I do:

1/ burn prograde at the inclination marker which is not the one closer to Bop's trajectory and move the other one (the closer one) to cross Bop's trajectory. A closest approach marker should appear there and should point at the exactly the same place where the inclination marker is.

2/ burn prograde at the crossing and extend the orbit so I get Bop intercept in a few orbits.

3/ circularize around Bop from that intercept

[jfull]

What would I do:

1/ burn prograde at the inclination marker which is not the one closer to Bop's trajectory and move the other one (the closer one) to cross Bop's trajectory. A closest approach marker should appear there and should point at the exactly the same place where the inclination marker is.

2/ burn prograde at the crossing and extend the orbit so I get Bop intercept in a few orbits.

3/ circularize around Bop from that intercept

I'll try this

[Clockwork13]

Err, try getting an orbit aligned with Bop first. Then it should be a LOT easier.

[jfull]

Alright, I've gotten a good intercept that also doesn't require too extreme of a burn to circularize at Bop