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Results for “LUNAR SATELLITE”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1993

Lunar gravitational field estimation and the effects of mismodeling upon lunar satellite orbit prediction

Lunar spherical harmonic gravity coefficients are estimated from simulated observations of a near-circular low altitude polar orbiter disturbed by lunar mascons. Lunar gravity sensing missions using earth-based nearside observations with and without satellite-based far-side observations are simulated and least squares maximum likelihood estimates are developed for spherical harmonic expansion fit models. Simulations and parameter estimations are performed by a modified version of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's Planetary Ephemeris Program. Two different lunar spacecraft mission phases are simulated to evaluate the estimated fit models. Results for predicting state covariances one orbit ahead are presented along with the state errors resulting from the mismodeled gravity field. The position errors from planning a lunar landing maneuver with a mismodeled gravity field are also presented. These simulations clearly demonstrate the need to include observations of satellite motion over the far side in estimating the lunar gravity field. The simulations also illustrate that the eighth degree and order expansions used in the simulated fits were unable to adequately model lunar mascons.

Davis, John H.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Development of a simplified gravitational model for lifetime studies of lunar satellite orbits

Future lunar missions will involve long stay times in orbit about the moon. The moon's nonspherical gravitational field is the primary perturbation on a low altitude parking orbit. The objective of this study is to determine the orbital lifetime of a nearly circular low altitude parking orbit. In the present analysis, a simplified gravitational model of the moon is introduced which will enable mission designers to easily predict long term changes in lunar parking orbits at the preliminary design level. The development of a simplified gravitational model with sufficient accuracy is necessary to investigate orbital lifetimes for the large number of orbital parameters possible. Utilization of a simplified model will significantly reduce the required computational time needed to perform this analysis. By investigating the effects of the lunar gravity model on the various parking orbits, the parameters which are important in determining lifetime predictions are identified.

Meyer, Kurt W.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Preliminary orbit determination for lunar satellites.

Methods for the determination of orbits of artificial lunar satellites from earth-based range rate measurements developed by Koskela (1964) and Bateman et al. (1966) are simplified and extended to include range measurements along with range rate measurements. For illustration, a numerical example is presented.

Lancaster, E. R.↗
NASA NTRS1974

An investigation of the cosmic radiation in the vicinity of the moon on the Luna 10, 11, and 12 artificial lunar satellites

Research on the primary cosmic radiation and solar cosmic rays from the Luna 10, 11, and 12 artificial lunar satellites is reviewed. Data on the vertical distribution of cosmic rays above the moon's surface are presented, and the albedo for the primary radiation is determined. The fluxes of electrons with energies from 30 to 300 keV were registered in the solar cosmic rays. Rapid variations of the electron flux were observed. The angular distributions of 0.5-10 MeV protons moving together with the corpuscular streams responsible for Forbush decreases were investigated.

Grigorov, N. L.↗