SESA2001

Astronautics

Chapter 5:
Mission Analysis

Astronautics - Chapter 5 - Mission Analysis Dr. S.J.I. Walker 1

Contents
Orbit Selection

Orbital Motion

Co-Planar Orbit Transfers

Impact on Spacecraft

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Orbit Selection
Commonly Used Orbits

a) LEO (Low Earth Orbit), near equatorial:

- Shuttle
- Space stations
- Parking orbit

b) LEO, near-polar:
- Earth observation

c) HEO (Highly Eccentric Orbit):

- Observatories
- Field/particle explorers
- Communications

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Orbit Selection
Commonly Used Orbits
d) GEO (Geostationary Earth Orbit):
- Equatorial, circular orbit of radius 6.6 RE
Orbital period ~ 24 hr S/C appears stationary

- Communications
- Earth observation
- Observatories

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Orbit Selection
Orbit selection is dominated by the mission objectives (payload requirements
and (to a lesser extent) by system requirements).

Examples:
1) Provision of global environmental monitoring at high resolution LEO
polar
2) Provision of global communications
- using large fixed ground stations GEO
- using small, mobile terminals LEO polar
3) Provision of high resolution astronomical imaging (orbiting observatory)

There are such S/C in LEO, HEO and GEO. Orbit selection
in each case is driven by p/l operation and system issues.

Astronautics - Chapter 5 - Mission Analysis Dr. S.J.I. Walker 5

Orbit Selection
Orbit Trade-off for Orbiting Observatory

P/l Sys. Orbit Favoured

Parameter LEO HEO GEO

Observation mode operation

(Ground comms. Duration)

Uninterrupted source observation

Sky viewing efficiency
Radiation exposure
Ease of orbit acquisition
In-orbit servicing

Choice of orbit derived by trade-off of p/l and system issues.

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Orbital Motion
Forms of Analysis

There are 3 general approaches to the solution of kinematics problems:

1. direct application of Newtons 2nd Law (called the force-mass-

acceleration method)

2. use of work and energy principles

3. solution by impulse and momentum methods.

Each can be applied to translational or rotational motion.

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Orbital Motion
Keplers Laws of Planetary Motion

1. The orbit of each planet is an ellipse with the Sun at one focus.
(1609)

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Orbital Motion
Elliptical orbit locations

Apogee

Perigee

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Orbital Motion
Keplers Laws of Planetary Motion

2. The line joining the planet to the Sun sweeps out equal areas in
equal times. (1609)

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Orbital Motion
Keplers Laws of Planetary Motion

3. The square of the period of the planet is proportional to the cube of

its mean distance from the Sun. (1619)

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