GENERAL PERTURBATIONS OF THE ELEMENTS OF ARTIFICIAL LUNAR SATELLITES,
Abstract
So far as celestial mechanics are concerned, the launching of artificial lunar satellites (ISL) is of great interest in the light of the possibilities of more precisely defining astronomical constants connected with the moon (mass, figure parameters, parallax, etc.), possibilities which are opening up. Here, and as distinguished from satellite tasks of classical celestial mechanics, the first order question is that concerned with the selection of those ISL orbits which would make it possible to take advantage of these possibilities in the best manner available. In solving this particular problem to be considered, on the one hand, are the specifics of the optical and radiometric observations of the ISL, and, on the other, the actions of the various perturbing factors in accordance with the orbital character. This paper is devoted to an analysis of this second part of the problem. The paper is divided up into five parts. The first three contain the first order inequalities brought about by the nonsphericity of the moon's figure and by the attraction of the earth and sun. The fourth paragraph uses secular and long-period inequalities of the first order to draw certain conclusions relative to the selection of the ISL orbit in order to define more precisely the above-indicated astronomical constants. More extensive second order inequalities are introduced in the fifth paragraph.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 22, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0664022
Entities
People
- V. A. Brumberg
Organizations
- United States Department of the Navy