Thrust Is Not an Option - How to Get to Mars Really Slow

Explore the fascinating world of low-energy space travel in this 1-hour conference talk from the 36th Chaos Communication Congress. Delve into the use of chaos theory to discover unique spacecraft trajectories within the Solar System. Learn about orbital mechanics basics and three-body problems before examining how the inclusion of a third celestial body in calculations introduces chaotic behavior, enabling the discovery of fuel-efficient but slower routes. Understand the concept of low-energy transfers and the interplanetary transport network, including real-world applications like JAXA's Hiten probe and ESA's BepiColombo mission. Gain insights into Lagrangian points, weak stability boundaries, and how chaos theory contributes to understanding these unconventional trajectories, all presented in an accessible manner without requiring advanced mathematical knowledge.

36C3 - Thrust is not an Option: How to get to Mars really slow