Periodic Orbits About Rotating Asteroids in Free Space.

Abstract

In this investigation of periodic orbits about asteroids rotating in free space, oscillatory orbits about equilibrium points as well as those orbits encircling the body were found. While a method was derived for finding orbits of all inclinations, only equatorial orbits are presented. The major emphasis is on stable, periodic orbits, but certain unstable orbits are presented where appropriate. The analysis assumed that asteroids could be represented by triaxial ellipsoidal bodies rotating about their major axis of inertia. Hamilton's canonical equations were derived to describe the dynamics. An algorithm was then developed and used to solve the equations of motion in such a way as to find closed, periodic orbits. Keywords: equilibrium points; Periodic orbits; Triaxial ellipsoids. (Theses)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1986
Accession Number
ADA179387

Entities

People

  • Kerry D. Hicks

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Asteroids
  • Computations
  • Differential Equations
  • Dynamics
  • Eigenvalues
  • Eigenvectors
  • Energy
  • Engineering
  • Equations
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Kinetic Energy
  • Metacentric Height
  • Potential Energy
  • Three Dimensional

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris