What is the approximate synodic period for Earth to "lap" Mars again?
Answer
26 months
The synodic period represents the time interval between successive occurrences of the same geometric configuration of the Earth, Sun, and Mars. This specific alignment is crucial for mission planning because it dictates the point in space and time where a spacecraft can be launched to intersect Mars’s orbit precisely when it is needed, enabling the most energy-efficient trajectory possible. This favorable launch window occurs approximately every 26 months, and missing it forces mission planners to wait over two years for the next energy-optimal opportunity.
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