CELESTIAL MECHANICS
Judhistira Aria Utama, M.Si.
Lab. Bumi & Antariksa
Jurusan Pendidikan Fisika
FPMIPA - UPI
Source:
Astronomy: Principles and Practice, A.E. Roy & D. Clark, 4th Edition
Elliptic Orbit
• Then the line AA is the major axis of the ellipse, C is the
centre and, therefore, CA and CA’ are the semi-major axes.
Likewise BB is the minor axis, with CB and CB’ the semi-
minor axes. If a and b denote the lengths of the semi-major
and semi-minor axes respectively, then
b2 = a2(1 − e2) and e = CS/CA
Find the perihelion & aphelion distance!
The velocity of a planet in its orbit
• Let VP & VA be the velocities at perihelion A and
aphelion A’ respectively. We may write:
V = rω
where ω is the angular velocity.
• From Kepler’s second law:
r 2ω = h
• Hence, at perihelion and aphelion only, we
have
V =h/r
• For perihelion:
VP =h/a(1 − e)
• For aphelion:
VA =h/a(1 + e)
Measuring the mass of a planet
• Let a planet, P, with orbital semi-major axis a,
sidereal period of revolution T and mass m
possess a satellite, P1, that moves in an orbit
about P with semi-major axis a1 and sidereal
period of revolution T1. Let the masses of the
Sun and satellite be M and m1 respectively.
• From Kepler’s third law for circular orbit:
where
μ = G(m1 + m2)
• For the planet and the Sun we have:
μ = G(M + m)
• For the satellite and planet we have:
μ = G(m + m1)
• Dividing the later with previous one, we have:
Transfer between circular, coplanar
orbits about the Sun (Hohmann Transfer)
• The semi-major axis, α, of the transfer orbit.
From previous figure, it can be seen that:
AB = 2α = a1 + a2
Hence,
α = (a1 + a2) / 2
• The eccentricity, e, of the transfer orbit.
SA = a1 = α(1 − e)
SB = a2 = α(1 + e)
Hence,
e = (a2 − a1) / (a2 + a1)
• Any time thrust (∆V) is added to a circular orbit
increases eccentricity.
• Adding ∆V (thrust) at perigee increases eccen-
ticity.
• Adding ∆V at apogee decreases eccentricity (a
pogee kick).
• The transfer time, , spent in the transfer
orbit.
In this case:
=GMCentral Body
• The velocity increments VA and VB.
At A, the required increment VA is the
difference between circular velocity Vc1 in the
inner orbit and perihelion velocity VP in the
transfer orbit.
VA = VP − Vc1, since VP > Vc1
or
• At B, the required increment VB is the
difference between circular velocity Vc2 in the
outer orbit and aphelion velocity VA in the
transfer orbit.
VB = Vc2 − VA, since Vc2 > VA
or
Hohmann Transfer
(lower to higher orbit)
• Fire motor at perigee to get eccentric orbit with
desired orbit altitude equal to the new apogee.
• Give an apogee kick to recircularize the orbit.
• Most efficient orbital transfer.
Hohmann Transfer
(higher to lower orbit)
• Retrofire rocket at apogee to make eccentric
orbit with lower perigee.
• Retrofire at perigee to recircularize.
• Retrofiring means turning the rocket around and
firing against the flight direction.
Orbital Transfer
• Going from a low orbit to higher
– Requires thrust in flight direction
– Satellite speed decreases
• Going from high orbit to lower
– Requires retrofiring
– Satellite speed increases
