Abstract The dynamical environment on and about the Martian moon Phobos is explored. This planetary moon provides a unique dynamical environment in the solar system, being subject to extreme tidal forces and having a characteristically non-spherical shape. Further, it is not in a fully circular orbit, meaning that it has librations that arise from its eccentricity, contributing to a periodic forcing environment. Thus, to plan and implement missions in the vicinity of and on Phobos will require these considerations be taken into account. In this paper the latest published models of the Phobos shape and dynamics are used to characterize its dynamical environment in close proximity orbit about the body, for motion across its surface and for controlled hovering motion in its vicinity. It is found that surface motion is subject to a number of “speed limits” that can cause a moving vehicle to leave the surface and to possibly escape the moon and enter orbit about Mars. In terms of orbital stability, the existence of libration orbit families are characterized down to the surface using an exact potential, and the known stable QSO orbits are shown to be associated with families of stable quasi-periodic orbits.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Dynamics in the Phobos environment


    Contributors:
    Scheeres, D.J. (author) / Van wal, S. (author) / Olikara, Z. (author) / Baresi, N. (author)

    Published in:

    Advances in Space Research ; 63 , 1 ; 476-495


    Publication date :

    2018-10-11


    Size :

    20 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Phobos map and Phobos globe

    Bugaevsky, L.M. / Krasnopevtseva, B.V. / Shingareva, K.B. | Elsevier | 1992


    Marsmond Phobos

    DLR / Daten: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin (G. Neukum) | TIB AV-Portal | 2011


    Prospectus: Phobos Base

    Cohen, Marc M. / Ge, Shen / Barker, Donald | AIAA | 2016


    Phobos, Deimos Mission

    Mukhin, L. / Sagdeev, R. / Karavasili, K. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000


    Propane to Phobos

    Martin, James A. | AIAA | 2016