Skew flip turnover

A skew flip turnover is a maneuver in which an aircraft or spacecraft accelerates to a certain point, flips over (skew flip) and begins to accelerate in the opposite direction. Weaker spacecraft will accelerate up to a certain velocity, coast for a while, then decelerate to rest.

If the desired acceleration of the spacecraft is known (generally one g or 9.81 m/s²) and the transit time is to be calculated, the equation is

:$T\; =\; sqrt\{D\; over\; A\}$

where: "T" = time (seconds): "D" = distance (m): "A" = acceleration (m/s2): 1 g = 9.81 m/s²

The skew flip turnover was described in Robert A. Heinlein's book "Have Space Suit—Will Travel".

Resources

*http://www.projectrho.com/rocket/rocket3i.html