Tracking Unstable Elliptical Orbits for College-Educated Scientists

In summary, an unstable elliptical orbit is a type of orbit that is not stable and is likely to change over time due to external forces. This can be caused by factors such as gravitational pull, atmospheric drag, and the orbiting object's shape and tilt. It differs from a stable elliptical orbit in that the object's path is not consistent. In some cases, an unstable elliptical orbit can be corrected, but in others, it may be too unstable. Real-world examples include comets, some moons of Jupiter, and man-made satellites with unstable orbits due to their missions and external forces in space.
  • #1
Philosophaie
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A satellite is in an unstable elliptical orbit around the earth. Is there a way of tracking each satellite's orbit till it reaches the critical stage then follows it's reentry path?
V<Vescape
r=a*(1-e^2)/(1+e*cos(True Anomaly))

Book recommendations welcome. College educated.
 
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  • #2
You may want to search the net for "satellite orbital decay".

For a short description of orbital decay (and many other things) I can fully recommend Spaceflight Dynamics by W. E. Wiesel from McGraw-Hill, http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.au/html/9780070701106.html
 
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  • #3
Thanx!
 
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Related to Tracking Unstable Elliptical Orbits for College-Educated Scientists

1. What is an unstable elliptical orbit?

An unstable elliptical orbit is a type of orbit in which an object, such as a planet or satellite, travels in an elliptical path around another object, but the orbit is not stable and is likely to change over time due to external forces.

2. What causes an unstable elliptical orbit?

An unstable elliptical orbit can be caused by a variety of factors, including the gravitational pull of other objects, atmospheric drag, and the shape and tilt of the orbiting object itself.

3. How does an unstable elliptical orbit differ from a stable elliptical orbit?

A stable elliptical orbit is one in which the object maintains a consistent path around the central body, while an unstable elliptical orbit is subject to changes and deviations over time.

4. Can an unstable elliptical orbit be corrected?

In some cases, an unstable elliptical orbit can be corrected by adjusting the object's trajectory or using other methods such as thrusters or gravitational assists from other objects. However, in some cases, the orbit may be too unstable to be corrected.

5. Are there any real-world examples of objects in an unstable elliptical orbit?

Yes, there are many examples of objects in unstable elliptical orbits in our solar system, such as comets and some moons of Jupiter. Additionally, some man-made satellites have unstable elliptical orbits due to the nature of their missions and the forces acting on them in space.

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