LOCATION AND STABILITY OF THE TRIANGULAR POINTS IN THE TRIAXIAL ELLIPTIC RESTRICTED THREE-BODY PROBLEM

Dynamics around small irregularly shaped objects modeled as a mass dipole

In this work, we investigate the dynamics of a spacecraft near two primary bodies. The massive body is considered to have a spherical shape, while the less massive one is elongated and modeled as a dipole. The dipole consists of two connected masses, one is spherical and the other is an oblate spheroid. The gravitational potential of the elongated body is determined by four independent parameters. To study the dynamics, we construct the equations of motion of a spacecraft with negligible mass under the effect of the current force model. The existence and locations of the equilibrium points are analyzed for various values of the system parameters. We found that the existence and locations of the points are affected by the system parameters. Also, we studied the linear stability of the equilibrium points. We found some stable collinear points when the oblateness parameter is negative, otherwise the points are not stable. We used the curves of zero velocity to identify the regions of allowed motion. Furthermore, we discussed the 2001 SN263 asteroid system and found some stable collinear points when the oblateness parameter is negative. In addition, the triangular points of the system are stable in a linear sense.

Periodic Orbits Around the Triangular Points with Prolate Primaries

Periodic orbits play a fundamental role in the study and deep understanding of the behavior of dynamical systems. In the current work, we investigated the periodic orbits around the triangular libration points of the restricted three-body problem. The equations of motion of the restricted problem are presented when both primaries are prolate triaxial. Periodic orbits around the triangular points are obtained and then illustrated graphically for some selected initial conditions and for the entire domain of the mass ratio μ, as well. The eccentricities of the periodic orbits are obtained and then represented graphically. It is observed that the periodic orbits about the triangular stationary points are elliptical, and the frequencies of short and long orbits of the periodic motion are influenced by the shape of the primary bodies. Furthermore, we found that the perturbing forces influence the period, the orientation, and the eccentricities of the short and long periodic orbits.