Analysis of the free motion of satellites under the effect of the terrestrial gravitational potential
Abstract
The effect of one type of perturbation on the motion of the center of gravity of a satellite is studied, theoretically. The free motion, i.e., without trajectory correction, of a spacecraft, given its position and initial velocity, is determined by considering only the influence of the Earth's gravity. The gravitational potential created by a planet at a point in outer space is expressed. Lagrange perturbation formulas are introduced. The principal behind the approximations made in the analytical solution of the Lagrange perturbation system is explained. Implications of various terms used are considered.
- Publication:
-
NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N
- Pub Date:
- June 1980
- Bibcode:
- 1980STIN...8210083G
- Keywords:
-
- Center Of Gravity;
- Earth Orbits;
- Gravitational Fields;
- Planetary Gravitation;
- Satellite Perturbation;
- Double Cusps;
- Lagrangian Equilibrium Points;
- Legendre Functions;
- Numerical Integration;
- Orbital Elements;
- Tesseral Harmonics;
- Astrodynamics