Is there a mistake in the satellite's trajectory calculation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the trajectory calculation of a satellite positioned near the L4 point in the Earth-Moon system. Participants explore the effects of gravitational forces and initial conditions on the satellite's motion over a year, with a focus on potential errors in the simulation setup.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a simulation where a satellite is perturbed by 1 km in the x direction but does not move due to a lack of initial velocity.
  • Another participant suggests that the gravity of the Moon may not be adequately accounted for in the simulation.
  • A participant claims to have identified a problem and shares a plot generated by the simulation.
  • Several participants express curiosity about the nature of the problem identified in the simulation.
  • There are repeated mentions of plotting the satellite's movement over a sufficient duration to observe its trajectory.
  • A later reply indicates a potential sign error in the equations used in the simulation setup.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the specific issues affecting the satellite's trajectory. Multiple viewpoints regarding the role of gravitational forces and the simulation parameters remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention potential limitations in the simulation, including the initial conditions and the time frame for plotting the satellite's motion, but do not clarify the exact nature of these limitations.

Dustinsfl
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The L4 position is stable in the Earth Moon and I perturbing a satellite by km in the x direction to see the trajectory over the course of the year. However, the satellite isn't moving. Can anyone see if there is something wrong? I gave the satellite no initial velocity.
Code:
In[2587]:= ClearAll["Global`*"]
me = 5.974*10^(24);
mm = 7.348*10^(22);
G = 6.67259*10^(-20);
re = 6378;
rm = 1737;
r12 = 384400;

In[2594]:= \[Mu] = G*(me + mm);
\[Pi]1 = me/(me + mm);
\[Pi]2 = mm/(me + mm);
M = me + mm;
\[CapitalOmega] = Sqrt[\[Mu]/r12^3];
\[Mu]1 = G*me;
\[Mu]2 = G*mm;

In[2601]:= xl4 = 384400/2 - 4671
yl4 = Sqrt[3]/2*384400 // N

Out[2601]= 187529

Out[2602]= 332900.

In[2612]:= r0 = {xl4+1, yl4, 0}
v0 = {0, 0, 0};

Out[2612]= {187529, 332900., 0}

{187529, 332900.16521473817`, 0}

In[2614]:= 
s = NDSolve[{x1''[t] - 
      2*\[CapitalOmega]*x2'[t] - \[CapitalOmega]^2*
       x1[t] == -\[Mu]1/(Sqrt[(x1[t] + \[Pi]2*r12)^2 + 
            x2[t]^2])^3*(x1[t] + \[Pi]2*
          r12) - \[Mu]2/(Sqrt[(x1[t] - \[Pi]1*r12)^2 + 
            x2[t]^2])^3*(x1[t] - \[Pi]1*r12), 
    x2''[t] - 
      2*\[CapitalOmega]*x1'[t] - \[CapitalOmega]^2*
       x2[t] == -\[Mu]1/(Sqrt[(x1[t] + \[Pi]2*r12)^2 + x2[t]^2])^3*
       x2[t] - \[Mu]2/(Sqrt[(x1[t] - \[Pi]1*r12)^2 + x2[t]^2])^3*
       x2[t], 
    x3''[t] == -\[Mu]1/(Sqrt[(x1[t] + \[Pi]2*r12)^2 + x2[t]^2])^3*
       x3[t] - \[Mu]2/(Sqrt[(x1[t] - \[Pi]1*r12)^2 + x2[t]^2])^3*
       x3[t], x1[0] == r0[[1]], x1'[0] == v0[[1]], x2[0] == r0[[2]], 
    x2'[0] == v0[[2]], x3[0] == r0[[3]], x3'[0] == v0[[3]]}, {x1, x2, 
    x3}, {t, 0, 24*3600*365}];

In[2617]:= ParametricPlot3D[
 Evaluate[{x1[t], x2[t], x3[t]} /. s], {t, 0, 200000}, 
 PlotStyle -> {Red, Thick}]
 
Last edited:
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I believe the gravity of the moon isn't playing a role in the simulation. Does anyone see a fix for this?
 
Just curious: what was the problem?
 
Ackbach said:
Just curious: what was the problem?

Plot the movement of a satellite at a 1km offset from L4 over the period of 1year. I will put some of these problems in the notes I type about Orbital and link to
 
dwsmith said:
Plot the movement of a satellite at a 1km offset from L4 over the period of 1year. I will put some of these problems in the notes I type about Orbital and link to

So you just hadn't plotted the motion for a long enough time?
 
Ackbach said:
So you just hadn't plotted the motion for a long enough time?

Oh that problem. Negative sign when should have been a plus.
 

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