Skew flip turnover
A skew flip turnover is an aerial maneuver, in which a ship or an aircraft 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 idea of a skew flip turnover was shown in Robert A. Heinlein's book, Have Space Suit-Will Travel on page 48.