Fourth-order theories for orbit predictions for low- and high-eccentricity orbits in an oblate atmosphere with scale height dependent on altitude

Two new fourth-order non-singular analytical theories for the motion of near-Earth satellite orbits with air drag are developed for low- and high-eccentricity orbits in an oblate atmosphere with variation of density scale height with altitude. Uniformly regular Kustaanheimo–Stiefel (KS) canonical elements are utilized for low-eccentricity orbits and KS element equations are employed for high-eccentricity orbits. Only two of the nine equations are solved analytically to compute the state vector and change in energy at the end of each revolution, due to symmetry in the equations of motion. The analytical solutions are compared with the numerically integrated values up to 100 revolutions, and found to be quite accurate over a wide range of eccentricity, perigee height and inclination.     

Luni-solar perturbations in the extended phase space representation of the Vinti problem

Perturbation theory is applied to the Vinti problem—motion about an oblate spheroid—to include the gravitational effects of the sun and moon. The problem is formulated using the extended phase space method which introduces a new independent variable similar to the true anomaly. The disturbing Hamiltonian H₁ for third bodies is of order J₂² (second order) and the final goal is a theory including second order short and long period terms and third order secular terms. The current paper however carries the development only to the second order in the secular terms and the first order in the periodic terms. Problems of including the higher orders are discussed. Therefore, in the development of H₁ all terms of order 10^?9 or larger are retained. The lunar emphemeris retains terms to e′² in the lunar eccentricity. The perturbation analysis is carried out by means of Lie series and is developed through the first order only which is consistent with the final accuracy desired. The generating function W₁ is obtained and separated into the long period, short period and secular terms. From W₁ the coordinates are defined from the Lie series by means of a transformation equation. These coordinates are non-singular for small eccentricity and inclination. Because of the complexity of the equations all algebraic computations were accomplished by means of a computerized Poisson series manipulator developed at the Naval Research Laboratory.     

Lorentz-force-perturbed orbits with application to J2-invariant formation

The Lorentz force acting on an electrostatically charged spacecraft in the Earth's magnetic field provides a new propellantless means for controlling a spacecraft's orbit. Assuming that the Lorentz force is much smaller than the gravitational force, the perturbation of a charged spacecraft's orbit by the Lorentz force in the Earth's magnetic field, which is simplified as a titled rotating dipole, is studied in this article. Our research starts with the derivation of the equations of motion in geocentric equatorial inertial Cartesian coordinates using Lagrange mechanics, and then derives the Gauss variational equations involving Lorentz-force perturbation using a set of nodal inertial coordinates as an intermediate step. Subsequently, the approximate averaged changes in classical orbital elements, including single-orbit-averaged and one-day-averaged changes, are obtained by employing orbital averaging. We have found that the approximate analytic one-day-averaged changes in semi-major axis, eccentricity, and inclination are nearly zero, and those in the other three angular orbital elements are affected by J₂ and Lorentz-force perturbations. This characteristic is applied to model bounded relative orbital motion in the presence of the Lorentz force, which is termed Lorentz-augmented J₂-invariant formation. The necessary condition for J₂-invariant formation is derived when the chief spacecraft's reference orbit is either circular or elliptical. It is shown that J₂-invariant formation is easier to implement if the deputy spacecraft is capable of establishing electric charge. All conclusions drawn from the approximate analytic solutions are verified by numerical simulation.     

Satellite orbit perturbations in a dusty Martian atmosphere

In this paper we calculate the effect of atmospheric dust on the orbital elements of a satellite. Dust storms that originate in the Martian surface may evolve into global storms in the atmosphere that can last for months can affect low orbiter and lander missions. We model the dust as a velocity-square depended drag force acting on a satellite and we derive an appropriate disturbing function that accounts for the effect of dust on the orbit, using a Lagrangean formulation. A first-order perturbation solution of Lagrange's planetary equations of motion indicates that for a local dust storm cloud that has a possible density of 8.323×10⁻¹⁰ kg m⁻³ at an altitude of 100 km affects the orbital semimajor axis of a 1000 kg satellite up −0.142 m day⁻¹. Regional dust storms of the same density may affect the semimajor axis up to of −0.418 m day⁻¹. Other orbital elements are also affected but to a lesser extent.     

Collisions of stars by oscillating orbits of the second kind

Ordinary estimations of the number of star collisions in our galaxy—by simple kinematic considerations—lead to a very small number of such collisions: about one or even less every millions of years. However star collisions can occur through the following indirect way which has a much higher probability. (a) Binary stars are very common in our galaxy, about 30–50% of the stars. (b) If two binary stars meet a triple system can be formed by an ordinary exchange type motion. (c) A triple system is generally decomposed into the “inner orbit” (i.e. the relative orbit of the two nearest stars) and the “outer orbit” (i.e. the relative orbit of the third star with respect to the center of mass of the two nearest stars). The major axes of these two orbits have generally small perturbations and it is the same for the eccentricity of the outer orbit. On the contrary, if the relative inclination of the two orbits is large, the perturbations of the eccentricity of the inner orbit are important and can even in some cases lead to an eccentricity equal to one, that is to a collision of the two stars of the inner orbit.Such orbits can be called “oscillating orbits of the second kind”, indeed the first oscillating orbits—conceived by Khilmi and described for the first time in an example by Sitnikov—have unbounded mutual distances r_ij, but the system always come back to small sizes, it has an infinite number of very large expansions followed by strong contractions and, in the three-body case, an upper bound of lim inf (r_1.2 + r_1.3 + r_2.3) can be given in terms of the three masses and the integrals of motion. For the oscillating orbits of the second kind the mutual distances r_ij are bounded, but the velocities are unbounded (i.e. lim inf r_ij = 0 for at least one r_ij) and the system goes to a collision if the bodies have non-zero radius even small. The analytical study of the oscillating orbits of the second kind is a part of the general analytical study of the three-body problem, a part which must be valid for large eccentricities and large inclinations. The use of Delaunay's variables and of a Von Zeipel transformation lead to a first order integrable approximation, valid for any eccentricities and any inclinations, and giving the following results: (a) The oscillating orbits of the second kind occur when the angular momentum of the outer orbit has a modulus sufficiently close to the modulus of the total angular momentum of the three-body system. Hence these orbits occur for inclinations in the vicinity of 90°. (b) The oscillating orbits represent a set of positive measure of phase space and the first order study allows to give a rough estimation of the probability of collisions—even for stars of infinitely small radius. This probability, for given initial major axes and eccentricities and for isotropic arbitrary initial orientations, is generally of the order of m₃$\text{R}\text{M}$ (m₃ being the mass of the outer star, M the total mass and R the ratio of the period of the inner orbit to that of outer orbit).One question remains to be solved: how many collisions of stars are due to that phenomenon? That question is difficult because the probability of formation of a triple system by a random meeting of two binaries is very uneasy to estimate. However it seems that, compared to the usual evaluations based on pure kinematic considerations without gravitational effects, the number of collisions must be multiplied by a factor between one thousand and one million.     

Formation design in elliptical orbit using relative orbit elements

A new set of relative orbit elements is strictly defined through spherical geometry. The exact transformation equations between the new relative orbit elements and classical-orbital elements are derived. A new relative motion model with no singularity problem is derived based on the relative orbit elements, which are suitable for both elliptical and circular reference orbits. The in-plane and out-of-plane relative motion can be completely decoupled based on the new model. The inverse transformation of state transfer matrix is obtained to analyze perturbation effects and control strategy. The geometric characteristics of relative motion can be easily described using the relative eccentricity/inclination vector method. The proposed method and conclusions are validated by simulation through some typical examples. This paper improves the basic theory of relative orbit elements and unifies the expressions of the elliptical and near-circular close relative motion.     

Nonlinear Evolution of a Balloon Satellite Orbit

The motion of a spherically symmetric balloon satellite near the equatorial plane is considered. Taking the Earth's oblateness and solar light pressure into account, the integral of motion can be obtained under certain simplifications. The eccentricity is related to the solar angle which represents an angle between pericenter and the Sun. This analytical approximation describes a large and complicated evolution of the eccentricity in corresponding areas of the phase space and the space of parameters. Phase portraits contain fixed saddle points and separatrices that divide different types of oscillations of the eccentricity. In the unsimplified problem, separatrices break down, and specific stochastic motions arise. The aims of the present study are (1) evaluation of the accuracy of analytical approximation with the help of numerical integration using a sufficiently complete model of motion and (2) numerical investigation of stochastic motions and dimensions of stochastic zones in the region of broken separatrices for an adequate model of motion. For a balloon satellite with a semimajor axis of 2.15 Earth's radii and a windage of 30 cm²/g the dimensions of a stochastic zone in eccentricity and solar angle are 10^–5and 0.1°, respectively. The analytical approximation describes the orbit evolution in the right way, except for the cases of large eccentricities, e> 0.4, which corresponds to a pericenter height of less than 1400 km, where the atmospheric drag is already significant.     

A specific case of stability of cylindrical precession of a satellite

In a central Newtonian gravitational field, the motion of a dynamically symmetrical satellite along an elliptical orbit of arbitrary eccentricity is considered. The particular motion of the satellite is known when its axis of symmetry is perpendicular to the orbit plane, and the satellite rotates about this axis with a constant angular velocity (cylindrical precession). A nonlinear analysis of stability of this motion has been performed under the assumption that the geometry of the satellite mass corresponds to a thin plate. At small values of orbit eccentricity e the analysis is analytical, while numerical analysis is used for arbitrary values of e.     

Periodic motions of a satellite-gyrostat relative to its center of mass under the action of gravitational torque

We investigated periodic motions of the axis of symmetry of a model satellite of the Earth, which are similar to the motions of the longitudinal axes of the Mir orbital station in 1999–2001 and the Foton-M3 satellite in 2007. The motions of these spacecraft represented weakly disturbed regular Euler precession with the angular momentum vector of motion relative to the center of mass close to the orbital plane. The direction of this vector during the motion was not practically changed. The model satellite represents an axisymmetric gyrostat with gyrostatic moment directed along the axis of symmetry. The satellite moves in a circular orbit and undergoes the action of the gravitational torque. The motion of the axis of symmetry of this satellite relative to the absolute space is described by fourth-order differential equations with periodic coefficients. The periodic solutions to this system with special symmetry properties are constructed using analytical and numerical methods.     

On dynamics of a plasma ring rotating in the magnetic field of a central body: Magneto-gyroscopic waves. Problems of stability and quantization

Based on a mathematical model described in [1], some new aspects of the dynamics of a thin planar plasma ring rotating in the magnetic field of a central body are considered. The dipole field is considered assuming that the dipole has a small eccentricity, and the dipole axis is inclined at a small angle to the central body’s axis of rotation. Emphasis is placed on the problem of stability of the ring’s stationary rotation. Unlike [1], the disturbed motion is considered which has a character of eddy magneto-gyroscopic waves. The original mathematical model is reduced to a system of finite-difference equations whose asymptotic analytical solution is obtained. It is demonstrated that some “elite” rings characterized by integral quantum numbers are long-living, while “lethal” or unstable rings (antirings) are associated with half-integer quantum numbers. As a result, an evolutionally rife rotating ring of magnetized plasma turns out to be stratified into a large number of narrow elite rings separated by gaps whose positions correspond to antirings. The regions of possible existence of elite rings in near-central body space are considered. Quantum numbers determining elite eigenvalues of the mean sector velocity (normalized in a certain manner) of a ring coincide with the quantum numbers appearing in the solution to the Schrödinger equation for a hydrogen atom. Perturbations of elite orbits corresponding to these quantum numbers satisfy the de Brogli quantum-mechanical condition. This is one more illustration of the isomorphism of quantization in microcosm and macrocosm.     

Optimum low-thrust limited power transfers between neighbouring elliptic non-equatorial orbits in a non-central gravity field

A complete first-order analytical solution is developed for the problem of optimum low-thrust limited power transfers between neighbouring elliptic non-equatorial orbits in a non-central gravity field. The optimization problem is formulated as a Mayer problem of optimal control with Cartesian elements as state variables. After applying the Pontryagin maximum principle and determining the optimal thrust acceleration, an intrinsic canonical transformation is performed: the Cartesian elements are changed by suitable orbital elements. Hori's method is applied in determining a first-order analytical solution. Simple analytical solutions are obtained explicitly for long-time transfers.     

航天器相对运动建模及周期性相对运动求解

面向航天器编队飞行的需求,对椭圆参考轨道航天器非线性周期相对运动条件进行研究,提出了确定椭圆参考轨道编队航天器非线性周期性相对运动条件的新方法。首先,考虑非线性、椭圆轨道等因素,通过哈密尔顿-雅可比(HJ)方程和正则摄动理论,推导了在任意非线性摄动下相对运动的模型和获得不需消耗任何燃料的周期性相对运动轨道的条件;然后,采用时域配点法,结合改进的列文伯格-马夸尔特(LM)法对周期性相对运动的初值进行求解;最后,设计数值仿真算例,利用上述条件,得到不消耗任何燃料的周期性绕飞轨道,由此验证了本文所提模型和方法的正确性。     

Large-size space debris flyby in low earth orbits

the analysis of NORAD catalogue of space objects executed with respect to the overall sizes of upper-stages and last stages of carrier rockets allows the classification of 5 groups of large-size space debris (LSSD). These groups are defined according to the proximity of orbital inclinations of the involved objects. The orbits within a group have various values of deviations in the Right Ascension of the Ascending Node (RAAN). It is proposed to use the RAANs deviations' evolution portrait to clarify the orbital planes’ relative spatial distribution in a group so that the RAAN deviations should be calculated with respect to the concrete precessing orbital plane of the concrete object. In case of the first three groups (inclinations i = 71°, i = 74°, i = 81°) the straight lines of the RAAN relative deviations almost do not intersect each other. So the simple, successive flyby of group’s elements is effective, but the significant value of total ΔV is required to form drift orbits. In case of the fifth group (Sun-synchronous orbits) these straight lines chaotically intersect each other for many times due to the noticeable differences in values of semi-major axes and orbital inclinations. The intersections’ existence makes it possible to create such a flyby sequence for LSSD group when the orbit of one LSSD object simultaneously serves as the drift orbit to attain another LSSD object. This flyby scheme requiring less ΔV was called “diagonal.” The RAANs deviations’ evolution portrait built for the fourth group (to be studied in the paper) contains both types of lines, so the simultaneous combination of diagonal and successive flyby schemes is possible. The value of total ΔV and temporal costs were calculated to cover all the elements of the 4th group. The article is also enriched by the results obtained for the flyby problem solution in case of all the five mentioned LSSD groups. The general recommendations are given concerned with the required reserve of total ΔV and with amount of detachable de-orbiting units onboard the maneuvering platform and onboard the refueling vehicle.     

Quaternion regularization in celestial mechanics and astrodynamics and trajectory motion control. I

Regularization problems in celestial mechanics and astrodynamics are considered. The fundamental regular quaternion models of celestial mechanics and astrodynamics are presented. It is shown that the efficiency of analytical investigation and numerical solution of boundary problems of optimal trajectory motion control of spacecraft may be increased using quaternion astrodynamics models. The regularization problem of celestial mechanics and astrodynamics that implies eliminating the feature, which arises in the equations of the two-body problem in case of impact of the second body with the central body, is considered in the first section of the paper. The quaternion method for regularizing the equations of the perturbed spatial two-body problem suggested by the author is presented; the method is compared with Kustaanheimo-Stiefel (KS) regularization. Demonstrative geometric and kinematic interpretations of regularizing transformations are provided. Regular quaternion equations for the two-body problem, which generalize the regular Kustaanheimo-Stiefel equations, as well as regular equations in quaternion osculating elements and quaternion regular equations for perturbed central motion of a material point, are considered. The papers on quaternion regularization in celestial mechanics and astrodynamics are briefly analyzed.     

Gravitation Maneuver Using the Families of Super-Unstable Orbits around the Libration Points

The families of periodic solutions to an autonomous Hamiltonian system in that part where the solutions are unstable have their specific field of influence. Under strong instability, the orbits that have fallen in such a field of influence are drawn into the family as in a whirlpool and then are thrown away from it. In the particular case of the restricted three-body problem, the orbits around the libration points L ₁ and L ₂ are super-unstable and the Keplerian elements in motion over these orbits change drastically. When the orbits fall into such a domain, for some time the motion is close to the motion around the libration point, and after being thrown out of this domain, the Keplerian orbital elements also change essentially.     

组合体与飞船联合轨道维持

通过组合体与飞船联合轨道维持解决了组合体和飞船轨道多特征参数的控制问题。建立了升交点经度、轨道高度和偏心率的控制方程以及基于时间关联特性的升交点赤经和制动点高度耦合控制方程和偏心率保持的双冲量耦合控制方程。结合组合体与飞船的飞行特点,制定了组合体轨道维持实现升交点赤经和轨道偏心率以及飞船轨道维持实现制动点高度的联合控制策略。耦合控制方程使得组合体和飞船轨道维持的控制量分配合理,融合了各次控制之间存在的耦合影响,设计了联合轨道维持策略迭代计算流程。基于神舟九号交会对接飞行过程,通过多组仿真算例校验了组合体与飞船轨道多特征参数的联合优化控制,具有较好的工程应用价值。     

On the possibility of long-time existence of submicron particles injected in elongated elliptical orbits with low perigee in the near-Earth space

On the basis of numerical experiments the theoretical possibility of long-time (longer than 1 month) and superlong-time (longer than 1 year) existence in orbit of technogenic microparticles (MPs) with radii of a few hundredths of a micrometer is demonstrated. MPs are injected into the near-Earth space (NES) in elongated elliptical low-perigee orbits with parameters, corresponding to Molniya satellite’s orbital parameters. Calculations were carried out taking into account disturbing effects on the MP orbital motion in NES of the following factors: the gravitational disturbance caused by polar oblateness of the Earth, the solar pressure force (calculated with using the techniques of the Mie theory), the drag force of a neutral component of background gas, as well as the electrodynamic forces caused by interaction of electric charge, induced on MPs, with the magnetic and electric fields of the NES.