Skew flip turnover
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A skew flip turnover is a maneuver in which an aircraft or spacecraft accelerates to a certain point, flips over (skew flip) and begins to accelerate in the opposite direction. Weaker spacecraft will accelerate up to a certain velocity, coast for a while, then decelerate to rest.
If the desired acceleration of the spacecraft is known (generally one g or 9.81 m/s²) and the transit time is to be calculated, the equation is
where
- T = time (seconds)
- D = distance (m)
- A = acceleration (m/s2)
- 1 g = 9.81 m/s²
The skew flip turnover was described in Robert A. Heinlein's book Have Space Suit—Will Travel.
