Talk:Gravitational parameter

Alternate value of mu

I would like to point out that mu also equals g*r^2. Gravity, g, = G * m₁/r^2. So G = g * r^2 /m₁. Substituting that into mu = GM, we get mu = g*r^2, QED. This is the form of mu that I have been in the habit of using since gravity and radius are usually more available to me than G and m₁. I have done paper missions with less accurate values but they were sufficient for my purposes. See People from Earth to Mars in 30 days - Farred 04:35, 19 February 2013 (UTC)

I'm not sure why you would want to do that. For heavenly bodies, the average surface gravity g is calculated from mu using the very formula that you just gave (mu and r being determined from astronomical observation). Why would you want to work backwards from this to get mu? I agree that inaccurate values are fine for most ballpark feasibility studies, but finding accurate values takes little time and offers several advantages. A small force over an Earth-Mars transit orbit makes a big difference and inaccurate values are compounded when you work backwards from the fuel needed for the last leg of a mission to determine the fuel needed at the beginning. ChristiaanK 17:01, 20 February 2013 (UTC)