Abstract
The drag-free path of a vehicle in the vicinity of an oblate planet is discussed. Although the solution found is approximate in the sense that it is a truncated power series in the oblateness parameter / , there is no restriction on either the eccentricity or the inclination angle. Approximate analytic expressions are derived for the radial position, speed, angular momentum, deviation from the initial plane of motion, and rate of apsidal advance. In addition, the injection speed required for prescribed apses is derived. The differences between first-order results and inverse-square results are found from the analysis, and numerical results are given. A comparison of the analytical results with the results of integrating the equations of motion directly on a digital computer indicates excellent agreement over a wide range of inclination angles and eccentricities.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call