TRAJECTORY AND ORBIT PLOTTER INSTRUCTION MANUAL,
Abstract
A graphical method for obtaining the solution of a large class of trajectory and orbit problems is described. By this method it is possible, given a set of initial conditions, to construct the resulting trajectory or orbit and determine the velocity path angle, ground range, altitude, and time of flight corresponding to any point of the path. In addition, it is also possible to take into account the effects of earth rotation on the ballistic path and to determine the latitude and longitude of points on the earth trace, including the impact position. The equipment required for applying this method includes a trajectory chart, an earth rotation chart, and a protractor, copies of which are included. This equipment has been designed so that a user, with a knowledge of simple arithmetic and a few basic geometrical constructions, as well as the ability to follow directions, can obtain rapid solutions to trajectory and orbit problems with an accuracy of the order of 0.5 per cent in the results. The method should have considerable application to the class of problems not requiring the extreme precision of the high-speed digital computer. Such problems would include preliminary design missile performance determinations, feasibility studies, and trajectory and orbit prediction problems. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0422502
Entities
People
- E. H. Sharkey
- R. H. Frick
- W. I. Rumer
Organizations
- RAND Corporation