Quote:
Originally Posted by xelasnave
How are the tragectories of our space craft calculated? What math is used Is Newtonian sufficient or do they use GR?
alex
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Absolutely! Newtonian gravity can calculate a spacecraft voyage across billions of kilometers and through a 100m x 100m window. Add relativistic considerations, and it can be much better...the true on-board [relative] time can also be calculated...which is important.
I believe it depends upon what the application is as to whether they use one or the other. Don't forget, GR is calculation intensive.