What is "delta-v"

Delta-v (literally " change in velocity"), symbolised as ∆v and pronounced delta-vee, as used in spacecraft flight dynamics, is a measure of the impulse that is needed to perform a maneuver such as launch from, or landing on a planet or moon, or in-space orbital maneuver. It is a scalar that has the units of speed. As used in this context, it is not the same as the physical change in velocity of the vehicle.

Delta-v is produced by reaction engines, such as rocket engines, and is proportional to the thrust per unit mass, and burn time, and is used to determine the mass of propellant required for the given maneuver through the Tsiolkovsky rocket equation.

For multiple maneuvers, delta-v sums linearly.

For interplanetary missions delta-v is often plotted on a porkchop plot which displays the required mission delta-v as a function of launch date.

Delta V may refer to:

1. redirect WebDAV

Delta V is an Italian musical group formed in 1995. Its current line-up is composed of Carlo Bertotti, Flavio Ferri, Fefo Forconi and Francesca Tourè. They debuted in 1998 with the album Spazio, and their greatest hits are songs such as "Se telefonando" and "Un'estate fa". Their latest album is Pioggia.Rosso.Acciaio.

In general physics, delta-v is simply a change in velocity. The Greek uppercase letter delta is the standard mathematical symbol to represent change in some quantity.

Depending on the situation, delta-v can be either a spatial vector (Δv) or scalar (Δv). In either case it is equal to the acceleration (vector or scalar) integrated over time:

Δv = v − v = ∫a dt
(vector version)

Δv = v − v = ∫a dt
(scalar version) where:

• v or v is initial velocity (at time t),
• v or v is subsequent velocity (at time t).

Change in velocity is useful in many cases, such as determining the change in momentum, where
Δp = mΔv
, where ,p is momentum and m is mass.

Category:Physical quantities