Accession Number:
AD0754738
Title:
Higher Order Theory for Long-Term Behavior of Earth and Lunar Orbiters
Descriptive Note:
Final rept.
Corporate Author:
NAVAL RESEARCH LAB WASHINGTON DC OPERATIONS RESEARCH BRANCH
Personal Author(s):
Report Date:
1972-12-29
Pagination or Media Count:
100.0
Abstract:
A semianalytical method capable of analyzing both lunar and earth orbiters is presented. Primary attention is focused on predicting the evolution of the orbit as affected by third-body perturbations and those of the rotating primary. The singly averaged literal equations of motion are expanded by machine to a high order in the parallax factor and the mean motion ratio. These equations are numerically integrated to yield the orbital evolution and stability for a wide range of initial conditions. In addition, a purely analytical method is introduced to yield the orbital lifetimes for a special class of orbits.
Descriptors:
Subject Categories:
- Spacecraft Trajectories and Reentry