Answer to Question #202302 in Astronomy | Astrophysics for Nour

Question

A space probe is about to launch with the objective to explore the planets Mars and Jupiter. To

use the lowest amount of energy, the rocket starts from the Earth’s orbit (A) and flies in an elliptical orbit to Mars (B), such that the ellipse has its perihelion at Earth’s orbit and its aphelion at

Mars’ orbit. The space probe explores Mars for some time until Mars has completed 1/4 of its orbit

(C). After that, the space probe uses the same ellipse to get from Mars (C) to Jupiter (D). There the

mission is completed, and the space probe will stay around Jupiter.

The drawing below shows the trajectory of the space probe (not drawn to scale):

Below you find the orbital period and the semi-major axis of the three planets:

planet orbital period Semi-major axis

Earth 365 days 1.00 AU

Mars 687 days 1.52 AU

Jupiter 4333 days 5.20 AU

How many years after its launch from the Earth (A) will the space probe arrive at Jupiter (D)?

Answer 1

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