Abstract
The algorithm that generates the exact solution of the two-impulse noncoplanar rendezvous in general elliptic orbit is presented in this chapter. The motion of the maneuvering spacecraft is referred to a rotating reference frame attached to the passive spacecraft, and dragging and precessing at the same rate as that spacecraft. An iterative scheme is devised to find the magnitude and orientation of the initiating impulse that brings the active spacecraft to a desired target point in the vicinity of the passive spacecraft in a given time. When the rendezvous point is in the vicinity of the passive spacecraft and not at the passive vehicle location itself, the linear distance between the two vehicles will exhibit variations along their post-rendezvous common orbit which can be of the order of kilometers for highly eccentric orbits. These natural oscillations can be minimized by targeting the active vehicle to the immediate proximity of the passive spacecraft, and be totally eliminated by targeting to the passive vehicle location itself.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Kechichian, J. A. (1997). Coplanar two-impulse rendezvous in general elliptic orbit with drag. AAS Paper 97-644, AAS/AIAA astrodynamics specialist conference, Sun Valley.
Kechichian, J. A. (1997). The analysis of the relative motion in general elliptic orbit with respect to a dragging and precessing coordinate frame, AAS Paper 97-733, AAS/AIAA astrodynamics specialist conference, Sun Valley.
Clohessy, W. H., & Wiltshire, R. S. (1960). Terminal guidance system for satellite rendezvous, Journal of Aerospace Sciences, 27(9), 653–658. 674.
London, H. S. (1963). Second approximation to the solution of rendezvous equations, AIAA Journal, 1, 1691–1693.
Anthony, M. L., & Sasaki, F. T. (1965). Rendezvous problem for nearly circular orbits, AIAA Journal, 3(9), 1666–1673.
Kechichian, J. A. (1992). Techniques of accurate terminal rendezvous in near-circular orbit, Acta Astronautica, 26(6), 377–394.
Kechichian, J. A. (1997). Coplanar two-impulse rendezvous in general elliptic orbit with drag, The Journal of the Astronautical Sciences, 45(4), 391–409.
Kechichian, J. A. (1998). Motion in general elliptic orbit with respect to a dragging and precessing coordinate frame, The Journal of the Astronautical Sciences, 46(1), 25–45.
Kechichian, J. A. (1997). The algorithm of the two-impulse time-fixed noncoplanar rendezvous with drag and oblateness effects, AAS Paper 97-645, AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference, Sun Valley.
Kechichian, J. A. (1998). The algorithm of the two-impulse time-fixed noncoplanar rendezvous with drag and oblateness effects, The Journal of the Astronautical Sciences, 46(1), 47–64.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Kéchichian, J.A. (2021). The Algorithm of the Two-Impulse Time-Fixed Noncoplanar Rendezvous with Drag and Oblateness Effects. In: Orbital Relative Motion and Terminal Rendezvous. Space Technology Library, vol 39. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64657-8_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64657-8_10
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-64656-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-64657-8
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)