Hohmann Transfer Calculator

What Is a Hohmann Transfer?

A Hohmann transfer is the most fuel-efficient two-burn maneuver for moving a spacecraft between two circular orbits around the same central body, such as raising a satellite from low Earth orbit to geostationary orbit.

The Formula

Using vis-viva equations for the circular orbits and the elliptical transfer orbit (semi-major axis a = (r1+r2)/2), the two required burns are computed at perigee and apogee of the transfer ellipse, and transfer time is half the transfer orbit’s period: t = π√(a³/μ).

For general educational and planning purposes; assumes coplanar, circular orbits and instantaneous burns.