SEARCH FOR STABLE ORBITS AROUND THE BINARY ASTEROID SYSTEMS 1999 KW4 AND DIDYMOS

Abstract

This work includes analytical and numerical studies of spacecrafts orbiting two binary asteroid systems: 1999 KW4 and Didymos. The binary systems are modeled as full irregular bodies, such that the whole evolution of the results will show the impact of the irregular gravity field in the lifetime and dynamics of the spacecraft’s orbit. The equations of motion of the binary system and the spacecraft are derived from Lagrange Equations. The solar radiation pressure is consired in the dynamics of the spacecraft.Two distinct methods are used to search for stable orbits around the binary systems. One is called the grid search method, which defines the main body as a point mass to estimate the initial state of the spacecraft based on a circular Keplerian orbit. The second method is the search for periodic orbits based on zero-velocity surfaces.