This paper investigates the long-term orbital evolution of smart dust in space. Previous studies modeled the dynamics of smart dust under solar radiation pressure and drag only, and they found conditions for long-lived orbits but without considering the gravitational perturbations. In this work, the orbital dynamics under the additional effect of gravitational perturbations are investigated, and two groups of initial conditions yielding long-lived orbits are characterized. Among these conditions, five representative points are selected to study the long-term orbital evolution. Based on these considerations, it is found that there are long-term stable orbits, not only with small eccentricities but also with large eccentricities, due to the influence of gravitational perturbations, solar radiation pressure, and drag.
Long-Term Orbital Dynamics of Smart Dust
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets ; 55 , 1 ; 125-142
2017-07-31
18 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Orbital Dynamics of "Smart-Dust" Devices with Solar Radiation Pressure and Drag
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