Hypersurface Insertion Window for Long Term Orbital Stability of Artificial Satellites About the Planet Venus

摘要

This study develops an analytic function for the six dimensional surface (or hypersurface) above the planet Venus for a five earth year survivability for an artificial satellite. Current US policy concerning the exploration of other planets, via artificial satellites, requires the satellites be sterilized (5:61). This is a very time intensive and costly practice. Developing the ability to estimate the life time of an artificial satellite that can no longer perform its station keeping duties may allow the sterilization procedures before launch to be waived. The objective is to develop a five year survivability function in the orbital parameter space above which a satellite has at least five years to survive before it impacts the planet's surface. Perturbations effects which would cause the satellite's orbit to deteriorate are modeled and include: a) the geopotential of the planet, b) the effects of solar wind, and c) the drag on the satellite due to the atmosphere of the planet. The model was then interpolated to provide an analytic function for five year survivability. Keywords: Orbital perturbations; Geopotential; Solar wind: Atmospheric drag; Survivability function; Theses. (jhd)