The zonal satellite problem - II: Near-escape flow

Abstract

The study of the zonal satellite problem is continued by tackling the situation r??. New equations of motion (for which the infinite distance is a singularity) and the corresponding first integrals of energy and angular momentum are set up. The infinity singularity is blown up via McGehee-type transformations, and the infinity manifold is pasted on the phase space. The fictitious flow on this manifold is described. Then, resorting to the rotational symmetry of the problem and to the angular momentum integral, the near-escape local flow is depicted. The corresponding phase curves are interpreted as physical motions.