Space MIAD Practice Test

What adjustment is performed during a Hohmann transfer orbit?

1. Changing satellite altitude

2. Altering satellite speed

3. Adjusting satellite orientation

4. Releasing satellite payloads

The correct answer is: Altering satellite speed

A Hohmann transfer orbit is a specific maneuver used to move a spacecraft from one circular orbit to another, generally at a different altitude, around a central body such as a planet or moon. The key characteristic of this maneuver involves two main engine burns: the first burn increases the spacecraft's speed, allowing it to leave the initial orbit and enter an elliptical transfer orbit, which intersects the target orbit. The second burn, executed when the spacecraft reaches the apogee of the transfer orbit, alters the spacecraft's speed again to allow it to enter the final circular orbit. The adjustment performed during a Hohmann transfer orbit primarily involves altering the satellite's speed during these burns. The successful execution of the transfer relies on precise speed changes to ensure that the spacecraft reaches its desired orbit efficiently with minimal fuel consumption. Therefore, the answer centered around changing the satellite's speed aligns perfectly with the objective of a Hohmann transfer.