Earth satellites in resonance with the Moon and the Sun as objects of laser ranging. Analytical solution for their motion

Abstract

Distant Earth satellites repeating nearly periodically their configurations both with the Moon and the Sun may appear to be even more convenient carriers of laser retroreflectors than the Moon, when geodetic applications are of primary interest. The analytical solution for the motion of a satellite in resonance both with the Moon and the Sun has been outlined in this paper, the periodic orbit of the planar restricted four-body problem being taken as an intermediary. The Von Zeipel transformation gives the Hamiltonian not depending on the fast variables. The stationary solution for this Hamiltonian has been found. Then the non-homogeneous variation equations have been formed, taking into account the orbital eccentricities of the Moon and the Sun. The solution of these equations has been obtained and its accuracy has been tested by numerical integration.