Artificial Satellite Theory in Moon-type Problems

• Grant number: 24/17018-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: August 04, 2025
• End date: August 03, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Aerospace Engineering - Flight Dynamics
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Arthur Gagg Filho
• Grantee: Luiz Arthur Gagg Filho
• Host Investigator: Antonio Elipe Sanchez
• Host Institution: Divisão de Engenharia Aeronáutica (IEA). Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA). Ministério da Defesa (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain

Abstract

The research proposal aims to develop a general semi-analytical theory for Moon-like problems, based on the application of the Hori method for eliminating short and medium-term terms. Despite the computational effort in determining the resulting analytical expressions, these are general and they will not need to be recalculated, even if another central body is considered. To validate the results of the developed theory, the following will be conducted: comparisons of the obtained analytical expressions with those from the literature; comparisons of the semi-analytical method with the numerical Cowell's method, also to be developed by the principal researcher; and comparisons with the theory developed by prof. Elipe. Once the semi-analytical theory is established, it will be applied to real missions. Thus, computational tools for orbital propagation and analysis of frozen orbits around bodies resembling the Moon-like problem will be developed. Frozen orbit conditions in the GARATÉA-L and SELENITA lunar Brazilian missions will be obtained. Other design parameters of interest for a particular mission will also be analyzed such as the variation in pericenter altitude, which could pose a collision risk with the central body. With the developed theory, the satellite visibility problem will be revisited to include more terms of the gravitational potential and to increase the accuracy of determining the moments of sunrise and sunset of a lunar orbiter. It is noteworthy, therefore, in this research: the development of mathematical and computational tools for space mission design; and, the collaboration with PhD Professor Elipe Sánchez Antonio Carmelo from University of Zaragoza, who is a major reference in the Artificial Satellite Theory.