Calculating apoapsis from position and velocity

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the apoapsis of an orbit using the orbital state vector, which includes position and velocity. The user employs formulas derived from various sources, including Wikipedia and a paper referenced in the forum. Key equations include energy, angular momentum, eccentricity, and semimajor axis calculations. The user expresses uncertainty about the accuracy of the formulas and seeks confirmation and clarification on standard methods for calculating orbital parameters.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of orbital mechanics and dynamics
  • Familiarity with MATLAB programming for implementing formulas
  • Knowledge of gravitational parameters and their significance in orbital calculations
  • Basic understanding of vector mathematics and dot products
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the derivation of orbital elements from position and velocity vectors
  • Learn about the standard gravitational parameter (S) and its role in orbital mechanics
  • Explore the use of MATLAB for simulating orbital dynamics and calculating apoapsis
  • Investigate the method outlined in "Solar System Dynamics" by Murray & Dermott for further insights
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Astronomers, aerospace engineers, and students studying orbital mechanics who need to calculate orbital parameters from state vectors.

ellipsis
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I have a body of negligible mass orbiting a body of considerable mass, with that larger body fixed at the origin. I am given the orbital state vector (position and velocity), and need to return the apoapsis of orbit. Other orbital information would be useful, e.g. energy, angular momentum, eccentricity, etc.

For simplicity, the system is assumed to be in a plane... I am not concerned with the third position/vector component.

What I have so far:

Code:
  energy = norm(v)^2/2-S/norm(p);
  angmom = dot(p,v);
  eccen = sqrt(1+(2*energy*angmom^2)/S^2);
  semimajor = 1/(2/norm(p)-norm(v)^2/S);
  apoapsis = semimajor*(1+norm(eccen));

Sorry about the formatting, it's in Matlab language. I am far too lazy to do the latex for such a simple question. The above formulae do not return the correct results.EDIT: Huh... it may work now. ?
 
Last edited:
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ellipsis said:
The above formulae do not return the correct results.
What is correct, what do you get, and where do the formulas come from?
 
mfb: The apoapsis changes drastically in different parts of the orbit, and I know the physics code is already correct, so it must be this. The formulae are thrown together from various sources, like Wikipedia and a paper I found on these forums.

The above may or may not be correct, I'm not sure. Mathematically, how does one normally calculate orbital parameters given position and velocity (and standard gravitational parameter, S)
 
Wow Tony, you made that? I found that when searching for an orbital simulator, but didn't use it because the orbital elements were not obvious. Thanks.
 
If you hover the mouse over a text box, it tells you in English what each box means, in case you don't like Greek variables.
 

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