Nonsphericity of the Moon and Near Sun-Synchronous Polar Lunar Orbits

Abstract

Herein, we consider the problem of a lunar artificial satellite perturbed by the nonuniform distribution of mass of the Moon taking into account the oblateness (J(2)) and the equatorial ellipticity (sectorial term C(22)). Using Lie-Hori method up to the second order short-period terms of the Hamiltonian are eliminated. A study is done for the critical inclination in first and second order of the disturbing potential. Coupling terms due to the nonuniform distribution of mass of the Moon are analyzed. Numerical simulations are presented with the disturbing potential of first and second order is. It an approach for the behavior of the longitude of the ascending node of a near Sun-synchronous polar lunar orbit is presented. Copyright (C) 2009 Jean Paulo dos Santos Carvalho et al.