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On the use of fixed attitude propulsive arcs for transfer between neighboring coplanar Keplerian orbits

Citation

Wiley, Robert F. (1973) On the use of fixed attitude propulsive arcs for transfer between neighboring coplanar Keplerian orbits. Engineer's thesis, California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/456S-YS44. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:09232010-115331989

Abstract

The question of whether or not a coplanar, fixed attitude, constant acceleration burn in a central force field can result in a post-burn orbit that does not intersect the pre-burn orbit was investigated for small changes in the orbit. This was done by developing a criterion for separation between coplanar elliptical orbits, solving the linearized equations of motion given in reference 1 for a coplanar, fixed attitude, constant acceleration burn, and evaluating the criterion. Regions in which an initial alignment of the acceleration vector may be chosen to result in orbital separation at some point in the burn and the alignments of the acceleration vector to do this were found numerically. However, it appears that the distances between the separated orbits and the time over which the orbits separate for a particular alignment are too small to make the phenomenon of much practical use for small orbital changes.

Item Type:Thesis (Engineer's thesis)
Subject Keywords:Aeronautics
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Aeronautics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Stewart, Homer Joseph
Group:GALCIT
Thesis Committee:
  • Unknown, Unknown
Defense Date:1 January 1973
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:09232010-115331989
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:09232010-115331989
DOI:10.7907/456S-YS44
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:6042
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Dan Anguka
Deposited On:23 Sep 2010 21:22
Last Modified:21 Dec 2019 04:04

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