S.1 Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Chapter 1: Introduction to ...

S.4 Basic Rocket Equation
Total Velocity Increment ∆v of a spacecraft:
v=
∆v
∫ dv = −v
v=
0
m
e
m
f
∫
S / C
dm
m
- 5-
→ after integration:
m
∆ v = −v
[m/s]
f
e ln
mS
/ C
This formula can be also written in a form called ‘Basic Rocket Equation’
‘Basic Rocket Equation’
m
m
f
S / C
=
e
∆v
−
ve
Tsiolkovsky –Equation
Tsiolkovsky
(1857 – 1935)