Concepts

Hohmann Transfer Orbit

HOH-mahn

Also Known As Hohmann transfer Shortened form used interchangeably with the full name; cross-referenced as such within the same encyclopedia article.

Citation Formats

General Reference

Space and Astronomy Atlas. "Hohmann Transfer Orbit." Accessed August 30, 2026. https://dev-space.interactiveatlas.org/concepts/hohmann-transfer-orbit.

APA Style

Space and Astronomy Atlas. (n.d.). Hohmann Transfer Orbit. Retrieved August 30, 2026, from https://dev-space.interactiveatlas.org/concepts/hohmann-transfer-orbit

BibTeX

@misc{spaceandastronomyatlas-hohmann-transfer-orbit,
  author = {Space and Astronomy Atlas},
  title = {Hohmann Transfer Orbit},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://dev-space.interactiveatlas.org/concepts/hohmann-transfer-orbit},
  note = {Accessed August 30, 2026}
}

An elliptical orbit used to move a spacecraft between two circular orbits with the minimum practical amount of propellant, using one engine burn to leave the first orbit and a second to settle into the destination orbit. Described by German engineer Walter Hohmann in 1925, it remains the textbook route for missions to Mars.

Facts

Concept Domain

Spaceflight dynamics 1

Formulated Year

1925 1

Proposed By

Walter Hohmann 2

Cross-Tradition Connections

Associated With

Aerobraking

Source Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)

Delta-v

A Hohmann transfer's cost is expressed and compared to other maneuvers in delta-v.

Source Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)

Delta-v

Source Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)

Gravity Assist

Source Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)

Gravity Assist

Source Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)

Orbital Mechanics

Source Encyclopedia Britannica: Space Exploration

Orbital Mechanics

Source Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)

Sphere of Influence

Source Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)

Sources

1. Encyclopedia Britannica: Space Exploration

Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.

2. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)

Wikimedia FoundationHohmann transfer orbit, lead and See also sections

Quote, Hohmann transfer orbit, lead and See also sections

In astronautics, the Hohmann transfer orbit is an orbital maneuver used to transfer a spacecraft between two orbits of different altitudes around a central body.

2. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)

Wikimedia FoundationHohmann transfer orbit, introductory section

Quote, Hohmann transfer orbit, introductory section

The maneuver was named after Walter Hohmann, the German scientist who published a description of it in his 1925 book Die Erreichbarkeit der Himmelskoerper (The Attainability of Celestial Bodies).

2. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)

Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Orbital Mechanics

2. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)

Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Gravity Assist

2. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)

Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Delta-v

2. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)

Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Gravity Assist

2. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)

Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Delta-v

2. Wikipedia (space and spaceflight articles)

Wikimedia FoundationAssociated With: Sphere of Influence