Analytical Expressions that Characterize Propellantless Capture with Electrostatically Charged Spacecraft

作者：Gangestad Joseph W^*; Pollock George E; Longuski James M

来源：Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, 2011, 34(1): 247-258.

DOI：10.2514/1.47849

Spacecraft that intentionally maintain an electrostatic charge on their surface within a planetary magnetic field can manipulate the induced Lorentz force to perform propellantless maneuvers. Analytical expressions are developed that describe the process of capture with the Lorentz force and that demonstrate coupling among orbital elements (e.g., the eccentricity versus semilatus rectum) when the Lorentz force is the only perturbation on a Keplerian orbit. In equatorial orbits with a dipolar magnetic field, the relative evolution of the orbital elements notably depends on neither the charge nor on the magnetic field strength. The analytical solutions are applied to a capture at Jupiter, where, for example, a Galileo-like arrival requires similar to 0.2 C/kg of charge to effect capture. The analytical solutions agree with numerical propagations to within a fraction of a percent. A previous study, which numerically explored the parameter space of the Jupiter capture problem, identified trends and constraints on the motion that can now be explained by the analytical theory.

• 出版日期2011-2