SEARCH FOR STABLE ORBITS AROUND 1999 KW4

Author(s)

Oliveira, Thais C. ; Prado, Antonio F. B. A. ; Singla, P ; Weisman, RM ; Marchand, BG ; Jones, BA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ASTRODYNAMICS 2018, PTS I-IV; v. 167, p. 20-pg., 2019-01-01.

Abstract

This paper is a study of the orbital motion of a space vehicle around the binary system 1999 KW4. The model used is the restricted full body problem, in which it is assumed that the mass of the spacecraft is negligible and that the binary system is composed of two-ellipsoid bodies. The equations of motion of the binary system are found using Lagrange's method. The solar radiation pressure perturbation is assumed to act on the spacecraft's dynamics along with the gravitational influence of the non-spherical asteroid bodies. The results are based on a grid search method to find stable orbits for a spacecraft to visit the 1999 KW4 system. Several types of families of orbits are found, such as orbits around one or both asteroid bodies. Trajectories ending in escapes from the double system or collisions with one of the asteroid bodies are also mapped because they need to be avoided. The eccentricity of the orbit of the binary system around the Sun is approximately 0.69, a large value, therefore the effect of the solar radiation pressure on the orbit of the spacecraft for short and long periods is investigated. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/18418-0 - Search for orbits around the Lagrangian points of a triple asteroid and orbital transfers
• Grantee: Leonardo Barbosa Torres dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 17/07539-3 - Studying impact prevention of one or more asteroids with the earth
• Grantee: Thais Carneiro Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 16/14665-2 - Astrodynamics applied to space vehicles.
• Grantee: Antônio Fernando Bertachini de Almeida Prado
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants