A parametric study of the orbital lifetime of super GTO and SSTO orbits based on semi-analytical integration

Abstract

A parametric study of the orbital lifetimes of objects in super-geostationary, and super-synchronous transfer orbits (Super GTO and SSTO, respectively) has been carried out based on a fast an efficient semi-analytical orbit propagator ad hoc designed. Results are displayed by means of time-reentry maps, each of which requires the propagation of hundreds of orbits. The maps are displayed in the orbit inclination vs. RAAN plane at the starting epoch of propagation, and provide an important insight in the orbit evolution and final deorbit of Super GTO and SSTO debris, thus showing as a valuable aid to the needs of space surveillance and tracking (SST). The time histories of selected trajectories suggest that the smaller lifetimes are related to resonances of the Kozai type, thus enlarging the scope of the time-reentry maps, which can be used as a general tool to study the dynamics of highly elliptic orbits.