Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The trajectories of a spaceprobe ejected from a space station in circular orbit

  • Published:
Celestial mechanics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The trajectories of an unpowered spaceprobe ejected into the orbital plane of a space station in circular orbit are investigated using a coordinate reference system attached to the space station. Polar parametric equations for the trajectories are developed by a coordinate transformation of the orbital equations to rotating coordinates, with the true anomaly of the spaceprobe in orbit as parameter. An analysis of these equations leads to descriptions and classifications of the trajectories in which classes of bounded and unbounded trajectories are isolated with subclasses of periodic, aperiodic, central, progressing, reversing, isochronous, isoperiodic, isonumeric, homoperiodic and coterminal trajectories established and identified.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anthony, M. L. and Sasaki, F. T.: 1965,AIAA J. 3, 1666–1673.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartin, R. H.: 1964,Astronautical Guidance, McGraw-Hill, New York, p. 35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berreen, T. F.: 1973, ‘On the Relative Trajectories of a Probe Ejected from an Orbiting Space Station’, Monash University, Ph. D. Thesis, Ch. 3.

  • Berreen, T. F. and Crisp, J. D. C.: 1976,Celes. Mech. 13, 75–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crisp, J. D. C.: 1962.,Astronaut. Acta VIII, 1–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deutsch, R.: 1963.,Orbital Dynamics of Space Vehicles, Prentice-Hall, New Jersey, pp. 204–205.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eades, J. B. Jr. and Drewry, J. W.: 1973,Celes. Mech. 7, 3–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eggleston, J. M. and Beck, H. D.: 1961, ‘A Study of the Positions and Velocities of a Space Station and a Ferry Vehicle during Rendezvous and Return’, NASA TR R-87.

  • Euler, E. A. and Shulman, Y.: 1967,AIAA J.5, 1033–1035.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knollman, G. C. and Pyron, B. O.: 1963,AIAA J. 1, 424–429.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamb, H.: 1919,Infinitesimal Calculus, C.U.P., Cambridge, p. 308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamb, H.: 1929,Dynamics, C.U.P., Cambridge, p. 261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lancaster, E. R.: 1970AIAA J. 8, 1878–1879.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mouton, F. R.: 1914,An Introduction to Celestial Mechanics, 2nd Revised Edition, MacMillan, New York, pp. 155–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roy, A. E.: 1965,The Foundations of Astrodynamics, MacMillan, New York, pp. 99–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seidelmann, P. K.: 1977,Celes. Mech. 16, 165–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tait, P. G. and Steele, W. J.: 1878, A Treatise on the Dynamics of a Particle, MacMillan, London, pp. 70–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolowicz, C. H., Drake, H. M., and Videan, E. N.: 1969, ‘Simulator Investigation of Controls and Display Required for Terminal Phase of Coplanar Orbital Rendezvous’, NASA TN D-511.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Monash University, Victoria, Australia

    T. F. Berreen

Authors
  1. T. F. Berreen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Berreen, T.F. The trajectories of a spaceprobe ejected from a space station in circular orbit. Celestial Mechanics 20, 405–431 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01230406

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01230406

Keywords

Search

Navigation