I Can a Satellite Maintain its Angular Velocity with Continuous Low Thrust?

AI Thread Summary
In a discussion about whether a satellite can maintain its angular velocity while undergoing continuous low thrust, it is suggested that Satellite 2 may transition to an elliptical or outward spiraling orbit due to the thrust. The thrust vector is assumed to be perpendicular to the line connecting Satellite 2 to Satellite 1 and the Sun, indicating tangential thrust. The challenge lies in determining if angular velocity can be preserved as the satellite accelerates, particularly since increasing tangential velocity could affect the radius and thus the angular velocity. A numerical simulation demonstrated that increasing the distance from the Sun without adjusting orbital velocity results in the satellite escaping the solar system. The conversation emphasizes the need to understand the relationship between gravity, centrifugal force, and orbital dynamics.
dansmith170
Messages
45
Reaction score
11
TL;DR Summary
Can a satellite that undergoes a low continuous thrust maintain the same angular velocity as a satellite that does not undergo said thrust?
Suppose two satellites are in a circular heliocentric orbit with radius R and with angular velocity O'. Satellite 2 then undergoes a low continuous thrust. Can Satellite 2 (the one that undergoes the continuous low thrust) maintain the same angular velocity O' about the sun?

It seems that Satellite 2 may now be in an elliptic orbit (or outward spiraling orbit) and presumably its thrust vector is perpendicular to a line connecting Satellite 2 to Satellite 1, to the Sun. (Tangential thrust).

How might one go about proving that angular velocity (O') can be maintained as Satellite 2 accelerates (if it is possible at all)?

P.S. I think I am confused about whether increasing tangential velocity increases radius in a way that would prohibit O' from being maintained by the accelerating satellite.
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
I did a quick & dirty numerical simulation... First I put a James Webb in a circular orbit around the sun at 1AU (with no planets). Next I doubled the distance to 2AU without changing the orbital velocity. The spacecraft at 2AU with enough orbital velocity for a 1AU circular orbit escapes the Sun (no orbit).

16.jpg


Or if you start with a circular orbit at 1AU then double the orbital speed, you also leave the solar system (no orbit)...
17.jpg
 
Last edited:
Look up (Google?) how gravity varies with distance.
Then look up how centrifugal force varies with orbital speed or distance.

Have Fun and Learn Much!
Tom
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes collinsmark, dlgoff and topsquark

Thread 'Does it make sense to build new radio telescopes?'

TL;DR Summary: In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect alien signals, it will further expand the radius of the so-called silence (or rather, radio silence) of the Universe. Is there any sense in this or is blissful ignorance better? In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect...
View full post »
Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'

Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'

This is indirectly evidenced by a map of the distribution of gamma-ray bursts in the night sky, made in the form of an elongated globe. And also the weakening of gamma radiation by the disk and the center of the Milky Way, which leads to anisotropy in the possibilities of observing gamma-ray bursts. My line of reasoning is as follows: 1. Gamma radiation should be absorbed to some extent by dust and other components of the interstellar medium. As a result, with an extragalactic origin, fewer...
View full post »

Similar threads

How to get tangential velocity
Replies
28
Views
4K
I Orbital maneuver by applying a thrust in the radial direction
2
Replies
62
Views
7K
Does an orbiting satellite speed up as it falls towards earth
Replies
3
Views
2K
I How Can I Improve My 2D Newtonian Gravity Simulator?
Replies
7
Views
5K
I Position and Velocity in Heliocentric Ecliptic Coordinates
Replies
3
Views
4K
Find the speed of a satellite at a distance R from Earth
Replies
39
Views
4K
Circular orbit change after gaining mass ejected from sun
Replies
1
Views
1K
I Angular Movement and Spiralling Motion
Replies
17
Views
3K
Continuous thrust orbit changes
Replies
4
Views
2K
Calculating Orbital Velocity for a Satellite Orbiting Earth
Replies
2
Views
30K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top