delta-v
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Astronomy & Space
| Stands for | Change in velocity |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
delta-v stands for Change in velocity, an astronomy & Space abbreviation.
Measure of how much a spacecraft can change its speed using its propulsion, the basic currency of mission planning. Each maneuver, from reaching orbit to landing on Mars, has a delta-v cost, and the rocket equation links available delta-v to the ratio of fueled to empty mass.
Example: Reaching low Earth orbit requires a delta-v of about 9.4 km/s, including losses to gravity and drag.
Usage notes
Written with the Greek letter delta, as in delta-v. Konstantin Tsiolkovsky published the rocket equation in 1903. Delta-v maps of the solar system show that landing on the Moon and returning costs less than many people expect, while Mercury is surprisingly expensive to reach.
Related abbreviations
More astronomy & Space abbreviations
- CNSA – China National Space Administration
- COBE – Cosmic Background Explorer
- CSM – Command and Service Module
- DART – Double Asteroid Redirection Test
- DE – Dark energy
- Dec – Declination
- DM – Dark matter
- DSO – Deep-sky object
- EDL – Entry, descent and landing
- EHT – Event Horizon Telescope
- ELT – Extremely Large Telescope
- ESA – European Space Agency