ORBITS OF ARTIFICIAL MOON SATELLITES CONSIDERING THEIR NON-UNIFORM MASS DISTRIBUTION

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.317492414039

• Palavras-chave: Artificial satellites. Astrodynamics. Lunar satellites.

• Keywords: Artificial satellites. Astrodynamics. Lunar satellites.

• Abstract:

  Artificial satellites are used in various activities, among which we can mention: space exploration, carrying out experiments in a micro gravity environment, geodynamic studies, climate monitoring, etc. This way, artificial satellites have made it possible to move the horizon of observations to distances unattainable from our planet, but for measurements made through satellites to be conveniently used, it is essential that their orbits and altitudes are known, at each instant, with precision. suitable for the purposes of the mission for which the satellite was planned. Hence the need to construct special theories or methods, generally adapted to specific missions. Based on this premise, in this present work, using Lagrange's planetary equations, variations in orbital elements of lunar satellites due to the non-uniform mass distribution of the Moon are analyzed, considering some coefficients associated with harmonics of lower order and degree than 9, for some initial conditions. Approximate analytical solutions are compared with the numerical integration of equations for some astrodynamics simulations, among which are carried out through programs created in Python language, to calculate variations in orbital elements, considering simplified models for the perturbations.