This paper proposes a method for determining the parameters of the gravitational field of an asteroid using a group of spacecrafts. The gravitational field of an asteroid is described by the model of spherical harmonics and is characterized by the Stokes coefficients and the gravitational parameter of the body. The group of vehicles consists of the chief and deputy spacecrafts. The observed measurements are of the distance and radial velocity between the chief and each deputy vehicle. The proposed method is applied to the already studied asteroids Eros and Itokawa. The accuracy of the gravitational field parameters determination depends on errors of observed measurements. The possibility of improving the parameters accuracy by increasing the number of deputy satellites in the group is investigated.
The Method of Determination of the Gravitational Field Model of an Asteroid Using a Group of Small Spacecrafts
Cosmic Res
Cosmic Research ; 60 , 3 ; 185-193
01.06.2022
9 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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