Gauss' Problem

Question 1

Why do we use universal formulation for time of flight?

Answer 1

1. ) It is valid for all conic sections (in one formulation compared to Kepler’s Equation)
2. ) Improved numerical stability
3. ) Uses: time of flight, targeting, pork-chop plots (a chart that shows contours of equal characteristic energy (C3) against combinations of launch date and arrival date for a particular interplanetary flight)

Question 2

How does universal formulation of time of flight work?