Orbit mechanics of deep space probes
Abstract
Emphasized are orbits with high inclinations from the earth-moon orbital plane, with initial major axes oriented perpendicularly or inclined to the axis of syzygies and with period near that of the moon. The relation of this problem to the restricted problem of three and four bodies is discussed, showing the effects of luni-solar ephemerides versus the 'circular problem'. Various modifications of the actual problem are investigated analytically and numerically and a few tentative conclusions are obtained; the solar and lunar effects are significant as expected; initial conditions, including time of epoch, are of considerable importance; trajectories in general are unstable; conditions imposed by the circular restricted problem do not affect the results significantly.
- Publication:
-
Journal of the Astronautical Sciences
- Pub Date:
- June 1986
- Bibcode:
- 1986JAnSc..34..171L
- Keywords:
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- Four Body Problem;
- Orbital Mechanics;
- Space Probes;
- Circular Orbits;
- Deep Space;
- Spacecraft Control;
- Three Body Problem;
- Astrodynamics