Analysis of the relative dynamics of a charged spacecraft moving under the influence of a magnetic field

摘要

We analyse a dynamical scenario where a constantly charged spacecraft (follower) moves in the vicinity of another one (leader) that follows a circular Keplerian orbit around the Earth and generates a rotating magnetic dipole. The mass of the follower is assumed to be negligible when compared with the one of the leader and they are supposed to be in a high-Earth orbit, so the Lorentz force on the follower due to the geomagnetic field is ignored. With these assumptions, the motion of the leader is not perturbed by the follower and it is only subjected to the Earth's gravitational force field, while the charged follower is under to both the gravitational force of the Earth and the Lorentz force due to the magnetic dipole of the leader.