Lifetime and Dynamics of Natural Orbits around Titan

Symmetry

Antônio F. Bertachini A. Prado¹  Rafael Sfair²  Lucas S. Ferreira² 

[1] Academy of Engineering, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya Street, 117198 Moscow, Russia;Grupo de Dinâmica Orbital e Planetologia (GDOP), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Guaratinguetá 12516-410, SP, Brazil;

关键词: lifetime of orbits;    astrodynamics;    planetary satellite;    Titan;    mission design;   

DOI  :  10.3390/sym14061243

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Considering the growing interest in sending probes to the natural satellite Titan, our work aims to investigate and map natural orbits around this moon. For that, we use mathematical models with forces that have symmetry/asymmetry phenomena, depending on the force, applied to orbits around Titan. We evaluated the effects due to the gravitational attraction of the Saturn, together with the perturbative effects coming from the non-sphericity of Titan (the gravitational coefficient $J_2$) and the effects of the atmospheric drag present in the natural satellite. Lifetime maps were generated for different initial configurations of the orbit of the probe, which were analyzed in different scenarios of orbital perturbations. The results showed the existence of orbits surviving at least 20 years and conditions with shorter times, but sufficient to carry out possible missions, including the important polar orbits. Furthermore, the investigation of the oscillation rate of the altitude of the probe, called coefficient $\Delta$, proposed in this work, showed orbital conditions that result in more minor oscillations in the altitude of the spacecraft.

【 授权许可】

Unknown