Dynamics and Control of Typical Orbits around Saturn

Abstract

This paper investigates the dynamics of some typical orbits around Saturn, including sun-synchronous orbits, repeating ground track orbits, frozen orbits, and stationary orbits, and corresponding control methods mainly based on the mean element theory. The leading terms of Saturn’s aspheric gravitational field, J2 and J4 terms, are used when designing the orbits around Saturn. Two control methods of sun-synchronous orbits, including initial inclination-biased method and periodic inclination-biased method, are used to damp the local time drift at the descending node, which is caused by solar gravitation and atmospheric drag. The compensation of semimajor axis and maneuver period to maintain the recursive feature of repeating ground orbits are calculated. While only J2 and J3 terms are taken into account, we examine the argument that the perigee of frozen orbits around Saturn should be 270 deg to promise meaningful eccentricity. The perturbations of inclination and eccentricity of stationary orbits due to solar gravitation and solar radiation pressure are presented. Meanwhile, the preliminary control strategies of inclination perturbation and eccentricity perturbation are naturally introduced.

Semi-Analytical Search for Sun-Synchronous and Planet Synchronous Orbits around Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune

“…Finally, to make the planetary probe work in designed orbits throughout its life cycle, orbit control is usually indispensable [23,32,[39][40][41]; the orbit control methods applicable to the four giant planets' probes are also worthy of in-depth study.…”

“…M, that is, the lower the orbit is, the greater the maximum value of Q. Therefore, the choice of the Q value is not arbitrary when designing the repeating ground track orbits, and different planets have different Q value ranges [35,39].…”