Stationary configurations of space tether anchored on smaller primary in three-body problem

Spatial dynamics of a system composed by a planet, its moon and a spacecraft tethered to the moon surface is studied in the framework of circular restricted three-body problem. The moon is assumed to be in synchronous condition (1:1 mean motion resonances) so as to keep its orientation with respect...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta astronautica 2019-07, Vol.160, p.572-582
Main Authors: Ferreira, A.F.S., Burov, A.A., Guerman, A.D., Prado, A.F.B.A., Nikonov, V.I.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bifurcations
Charon
Configurations
Lunar surface
Mars
Mars satellites
Moon
Moon exploration
Orbital resonances (celestial mechanics)
Phobos
Pluto
Pluto (dwarf planet)
Pluto satellites
Small celestial bodies
Space elevator
Spacecraft
Stability analysis
Tether dynamics
Tether system
Three body problem
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Summary:Spatial dynamics of a system composed by a planet, its moon and a spacecraft tethered to the moon surface is studied in the framework of circular restricted three-body problem. The moon is assumed to be in synchronous condition (1:1 mean motion resonances) so as to keep its orientation with respect to the planet; the size of the moon is non-negligible. The tether is considered to be light and inextensible. Equilibrium configurations of the tether are identified; their stability is analyzed. The bifurcation points, where the number of equilibria changes and new branches arise, are determined. The theoretical results are applied to particular cases of the Earth-Moon, Mars-Phobos and Pluto-Charon systems. •Dynamics of a tether anchored on the surface of planet moon with non-negligible radius is studied.•The possible equilibria configurations are determined.•Several stable configurations are found; some of these stable configurations can be implemented with a stretched tether.•Particular cases of the Earth-Moon, Mars-Phobos and Pluto-Charon systems are examined in detail.
ISSN:0094-5765
1879-2030
DOI:10.1016/j.actaastro.2019.01.031