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Orbital motion under continuous tangential thrustThe effect of continuous tangential thrust on the orbital motion and mass loss of a vehicle initially in a circular orbit is investigated analytically. It is shown that, for a thrust-to-weight ratio of greater than 0.16175, escape speed will eventually be reached along an unwinding spiral trajectory. For lower thrust-to-weight ratios, escape speed is never attained, and the flight path oscillates around a logarithmic spiral trajectory. Formulas are obtained for the approximate orbital motion and time of flight along each type of trajectory and for mass loss due to expenditure of rocket propellant.
Document ID
19930030614
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Boltz, Frederick W.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics
Volume: 15
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0731-5090
Subject Category
Astrodynamics
Accession Number
93A14611
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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