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)

However g is calculated, it is the value that I find in some references. If I do not have mu but have g and r from a reference naturally that is what I would use. Actually I have seldom found mu tabulated in the references that I have used. Where it was tabulated, it was referred to as g*r². I just do not have the sort of references that are available to you. - Farred 18:38, 20 February 2013 (UTC)

Of course you should use the available values if that is all you have. That's why I tabulated mu values in the first place -- so everyone can see them. Perhaps we should nevertheless add a "relation to gravity" section showing how g = mu*r^-2 at distance r. If you have money to burn and want to expand your technical book collection, I can recommend Microcosm's bookstore. Perhaps we should add a section for spaceflight related bookstores to Links and Resources. ChristiaanK 08:16, 22 February 2013 (UTC)