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Models of Angular Momentum Input to a Circumterrestrial Swarm from Encounters with Heliocentric PlanetesimalsModels of lunar origin in which the Moon accretes in orbit about the Earth from material approaching the Earth from heliocentric orbits must overcome a fundamental problem: the approach orbits of such material would be, in the simplest approximation, equally likely to be prograde or retrograde about the Earth, with the result that accretion of such material adds mass but not angular momentum to circumterrestrial satellites. Satellite orbits would then decay due to the resulting drag, ultimately impacting onto the Earth. One possibility for adding both material and angular momentum to Earth orbit is investigated: imbalance in the delivered angular momentum between pro and retrograde Earth passing orbits which arises from the three body dynamics of planetesimals approaching the Earth from heliocentric space. In order to study angular momentum delivery to circumterrestrial satellites, the near Earth velocities were numerically computed as a function of distance from the Earth for a large array of orbits systematically spanning heliocentric phase space.
Document ID
19850015210
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other
Authors
Davis, D. R.
(Planetary Science Inst. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Greenberg, R.
(Planetary Science Inst. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Hebert, F.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Washington Repts. of Planetary Geol. and Geophys. Program, 1984
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
85N23521
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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