A STUDY OF THE OPTIMUM VELOCITY CHANGE TO INTERCEPT AND RENDEZVOUS

Abstract

From an arbitrary set of initial conditions, the problem of determining the minimum velocity change to (a) intercept and (b) rendezvous with an orbiting target is investigated by using an orbital mechanics approach. Certain approximate solutions are found in terms of the optimum time to intercept and rendezvous, and the physical significance of these solutions is determined in the region where they are valid. However, for practical problems of midcourse guidance where the solutions must be valid over long periods of time (or more correctly, over large values of the anomaly) a need for more exact solutions is indicated. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1962
Accession Number
AD0272363

Entities

People

  • John M. Eggleston

Organizations

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Astronomy
  • Celestial Mechanics
  • Guidance
  • Interdisciplinary Science
  • Mechanics
  • Midcourse Guidance
  • Orbital Mechanics
  • Physics
  • Rendezvous

Readers

  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Regression Analysis.
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers