The stability of a class of reversible systems

Abstract

The problem of the stability of the point of rest of an autonomous system of ordinary differential equations from a class of reversible systems [1] characterized by the critical case of m zero roots and n pairs of pure imaginary roots is considered. When there are no internal resonances [2, 3], the point of rest always has Birkhoff complete stability [2]. Internal resonances may lead to Lyapunov instability. The conditions of stability and instability of the model system when there are third-order resonances may be obtained from a criterion previously developed [4] for the case of pure imaginary roots. The results are used to analyse the stability of the translational-rotational motion of an active artificial satellite in a non-Keplerian circular orbit, including a geostationary satellite in any latitude [4, 5]. The region of stability of relative equilibria and regular precession of the satellite is constructed assuming a central gravitational field and the resonance modes are analysed.