Razor Resurrect

[Armanix]

I will review my approach angles to make sure I am carrying out the slingshot properly, I also had a thought just now; my perspective on the oberth effect was to use it specifically for acceleration. However if ai were to make multiple burns at my closest point to mercury in order to circularize the orbit progressively, this would be more efficient than a long burn at a steeper descent to land?

 

[Altaïr]

I will review my approach angles to make sure I am carrying out the slingshot properly, I also had a thought just now; my perspective on the oberth effect was to use it specifically for acceleration. However if ai were to make multiple burns at my closest point to mercury in order to circularize the orbit progressively, this would be more efficient than a long burn at a steeper descent to land?

Yes indeed, the Oberth effect also applies for deceleration. Mathematically, a deceleration is just a negative acceleration after all. So yes it's better to burn at the periapsis, and if your burn is too long, you can do that over several passes, that will be the most efficient.

 

[Armanix]

Alright, I'll do my best from here to finally complete this long term challenge, thank you for advising.

 

[Armanix]

I was unable to complete my own mission before the update Hopefully the electric rework will allow for another attempt in 1.5 along similar ideas... nevertheless I wanted to post my bp for posterity and in hope maybe I can try again if that version comes for pc sometime?