Control System for Maintaining Stable Orbits Around Phobos

Abstract

Phobos can be modeled as a triaxial ellipsoid in a circular orbit around Mars. The orbital dynamics of a satellite in orbit around Phobos are derived using Hamilton's canonical equations. An algorithm is then developed to find closed orbits for a specified period. Periodic orbits in Phobos' orbital plane have been found to be unstable. A control system is developed using scalar modal control to stabilize the orbit by shifting the unstable Poincar exponent to the left-half plane. Keywords: Planetary satellites; Mars planet; Control theory; Theses.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA202776

Entities

People

  • Mary K. Solomon

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Circular Orbits
  • Control Systems
  • Control Theory
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Differential Equations
  • Eigenvalues
  • Equations
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Fourier Series
  • Kinetic Energy
  • Orbits
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Potential Energy
  • Trajectories
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

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

Technology Areas

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