93-109
Satellite Dynamics About A Planet With A Narrow Ring
D. J. Scheeres* and N. X. Vinh**
Abstract
The dynamics of a satellite attractted by a planet with a ring are investigated. A simple model for the gravitational potential of a ring is used which extracts the fundamental gravitational effects on a satellite. Analytical and qualitative results are presented in cases where the satellites orbit is in the plane of the ring and where h is out of the plane of the ring As final results we present equations expressing the perturbation of a body from two body motion when the ring is narrow. These effects include the advance of the argument of the periapsis and the precession of the plane of the orbit (when the satellite orbit is not contained in the ring plane). Additionally, inequalities on the angular momentum of the satellite (for the planar case) are found which guarantee that the orbits are bounded and do not intersect the ring.
*Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, MS 301-125J. 4500 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, California 91109.
**Professor, Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2140.