Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T12:56:48.220Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A Graphic Synthesis for Space Manoeuvring

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 1999

Carla Iannuzzi
Affiliation:
Istituto di Navigazione, Universitá Navale, Naples
Giancarlo Lucarelli
Affiliation:
Istituto di Navigazione, Universitá Navale, Naples

Abstract

The complex and far-from-intuitive issue of establishing how and when to act when manoeuvres are to be performed in space is discussed here in a simple graphical way. An analysis was made of the effects on the parameters of an orbit of low thrusts in three directions: tangential to the orbit; normal to it in the orbit plane; and normal to the orbit plane. An outcome is that, in order to obtain a desired effect, and at the same time minimize the undesired ones, it is better to use only a tangential thrust or only a normal one rather than a combination of simultaneous tangential and normal thrusts. Thus it is not necessary to investigate any alternative orientation of the thrusters. A manoeuvre can be accomplished by thrusts given either only once along the orbit path, or in more than one orbital point. Diagrams are produced which give a quick insight into the manoeuvre philosophy for both kinds of action.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1999 The Royal Institute of Navigation

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)