Determination of a 12-Hour Periodic Orbit at the Critical Inclination with the Geopotential Represented through the Second Order Harmonics

Abstract

The subject of this thesis was an attempt to find a periodic solution of the equations of motion of a high eccentricity (.7) satellite at the critical inclination, with period equal to 12 sidereal hours, and with the earth's potential represented through the second order harmonics. The goals of the study were to (1) find the periodic orbit by numerical means, (2) examine the stability of its motion, and (3) determine the characteristics of the motion near the periodic orbit after including the influences of the sun and moon in the equations of motion. The equations of motion of the orbital elements were examined and used to explain why the periodic orbit could not be found.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1979
Accession Number
ADA081891

Entities

People

  • James C. Garcia

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Air Force
  • Apogees
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Classification
  • Differential Equations
  • Eccentricity
  • Energy
  • Engineering
  • Equations
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Geopotential
  • Harmonics
  • Orbital Elements
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Potential Energy
  • Security

Readers

  • Control Systems Engineering.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris