Mathematical modeling of the orbital motion of an artificial satellite of the Moon using Delaunay variables
https://doi.org/10.32362/2500-316X-2026-14-1-64-81
EDN: JUUJON
Abstract
Objectives. This work aims to derive and study the system of equations of orbital motion of an artificial satellite of the Moon (ASM) in the gravitational field of an attracting planet using Delaunay variables. This will ensure a reduction in computational complexity when modeling long-term trajectories, as well as provide an analysis of stationary orbits of the Moon taking into account the gravitational influence of the Earth as a third body.
Methods. The study uses analytical mechanics, asymptotic methods, in particular, the averaging method, methods of stability theory, numerical methods for integrating systems of ordinary differential equations.
Results. The Hamiltonian and equations of motion of the ASM in canonical Delaunay variables are obtained. Averaged and non-averaged systems of equations of motion of the ASM are derived in the form of autonomous systems of ordinary differential equations with respect to the following orbital parameters: semi-major axis, eccentricity, inclination, longitude of the ascending node, longitude of the pericenter from the ascending node, and true anomalies. A closed system of differential equations of the second order with respect to the orbital eccentricity and the pericenter longitude from the ascending node is obtained. Its stationary solutions are found, their stability is investigated, and conditions for the existence of stationary motions are determined depending on the value of the constant of the first integral of the averaged system of equations. Integral curves and phase portraits were constructed to demonstrate the interrelationship of orbital parameters. A comparative analysis was conducted using JPL Horizons data and previously published works.
Conclusions. The methoddeveloped enablesthedesignof trajectories for future lunar missions tobeoptimized (e.g., Artemis, Luna-Glob), thus providing a balance between accuracy and computational efficiency. The results confirm the prospects of using Delaunay variables for analyzing long-term orbital dynamics in gravitational fields of complex configuration.
Keywords
About the Authors
O. V. MeshkovaRussian Federation
Olga V. Meshkova - Master Student, Department of Higher Mathematics, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, MIREA – Russian Technological University.
78, Vernadskogo pr., Moscow, 119454
Competing Interests:
None
A. V. Shatina
Russian Federation
Albina V. Shatina - Dr. Sci. (Phys.-Math.), Docent, Head of the Department of Higher Mathematics, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, MIREA – Russian Technological University.
78, Vernadskogo pr., Moscow, 119454
Scopus Author ID 6506958326
Competing Interests:
None
References
1. Woodard M., Folta D.C., Woodfork D.W. ARTEMIS The First Mission to the Lunar Libration Orbits. In: Conference: Internation Symposium on Space Flight Dynamics. 2009. Available from URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235990349. Accessed February 04, 2025.
2. Li C., Hu H., Yang M.-F., et al. Characteristics of the lunar samples returned by the Chang’E-5 mission. Natl. Sci. Rev. 2022;9(2):nwab188. https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwab188
3. Li C., Hu H., Yang M.-F., et al. Nature of the lunar far-side samples returned by the Chang’E-6 mission. Natl. Sci. Rev. 2024;11(11):nwae328. https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwae328
4. Mathavaraj S., Negi K. Chandrayaan-3 Trajectory Design: Injection to Successful Landing. J. Spacecraft Rockets. 2025;62(1):159–166. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.A35980
5. Kanu N.J., Gupta E., Verma N.J. An insight into India’s Moon mission – Chandrayan-3: The first nation to land on the southernmost polar region of the Moon. Planet. Space Sci. 2024;242(5):105864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2024.105864
6. Zelenyi L.M., Mitrofanov I.G., Tret’yakov V.I., Litvak M.L., Kalashnikov D.V., Surov A.V., Prokhorov V.G. Scientific program for the study of the spacecraft “Luna-25”. In: Automatic Spacecraft of the New Generation “Luna-25” – from Research to the Development of Lunar Resources: in 2 v. Khimki; 2023. P. 8–28 (in Russ.). https://elibrary.ru/lggmqz
7. Lidov M.L. The evolution of orbits of artificial satellites of planets under the action of gravitational perturbations of external bodies. Planet. Space Sci. 1962;9(10):719–759. https://doi.org/10.1016/0032-0633(62)90129-0 [Original Russian Text: Lidov M.L. The evolution of orbits of artificial satellites of planets under the action of gravitational perturbations of external bodies. Iskusstvennye Sputniki Zemli. 1961;8:5–45 (in Russ.).]
8. Kozai Y. Secular perturbations of asteroids with high inclination and eccentricity. The Astronomical Journal. 1962;67(9): 591–598.
9. Vashkov’yak M.A., Teslenko N.M. Refined model for the evolution of distant satellite orbits. Astron. Lett. 2009;35(12): 850–865. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1063773709120056 [Original Russian Text: Vashkov’yak M.A., Teslenko N.M. Refined model for the evolution of distant satellite orbits. Pis’ma v Astronomicheskii zhurnal. 2009;35(12):934–950 (in Russ.). https://elibrary.ru/kygisd]
10. Vashkov’yak M.A. Constructive analytical solution of the evolution hill problem. Sol. Syst. Res. 2010;44(6):527–540. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0038094610060067 [Original Russian Text: Vashkov’yak M.A. Constructive analytical solution of the evolution hill problem. Astronomicheskii Vestnik. 2010;44(6):560–573 (in Russ.). https://elibrary.ru/nbsuhf]
11. Lidov M.L. On the approximate analysis of the evolution of artificial satellite orbits. In: Problemy dvizheniya iskusstvennykh nebesnykh tel (Problems of the Motion of Artificial Celestial Bodies). Moscow: USSR Academy of Sciences; 1963. P. 119–134 (in Russ.).
12. Ely T.A. Stable Constellations of Frozen Elliptical Inclined Lunar Orbits. J. Astronaut. Sci. 2005;53(3):301–316. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03546355
13. Goossens S., Sabaka T.J., Wieczorek M.A., Neumann G.A., Mazarico E., Lemoine F.G., et al. High-resolution gravity field models from GRAIL data and implications for models of the density structure of the Moon’s crust. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets (JGR Planets). 2020;125(2):e2019JE006086. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JE006086
14. Folta D.C., Pavlak T.A., Haapala A.F., Howell K.C., Woodard M.A. Earth–Moon libration point orbit stationkeeping: Theory, modeling, and operations. Acta Astronautica. 2013;94(1):421–433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2013.01.022
15. Jadala G., Meedinti G.N., Delhibabu R. Satellite Orbit Prediction Using a Machine Learning Approach. ICAI Workshops. 2022. P. 28–46.
16. Ovchinnikov M., Shirobokov M., Trofimov S. Lunar Satellite Constellations in Frozen Low Orbits. Aerospace. 2024;11(11):918. https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11110918
17. Aksenov E.P. Spetsial’nye funktsii v nebesnoi mekhanike (Special Functions in Celestial Mechanics). Moscow: Nauka; 1986, 320 p. (In Russ.).
18. Duboshin G.N. Nebesnaya mekhanika. Osnovnye zadachi i metody (Celestial Mechanics. Basic Problems and Methods). Moscow: Nauka; 1975, 800 p. (In Russ.).
19. Murray C., Dermott S. Dinamika Solnechnoi sistemy (Solar System Dynamics); transl. from Engl. Moscow: Fizmatlit; 2010, 588 p. (In Russ.). ISBN 978-5-9221-1121-8 [Murray C.D., Dermott S.F. Solar System Dynamics. Cambridge University Press; 1999, 592 p.]
20. Vil’ke V.G. Mekhanika sistem material’nykh tochek i tverdykh tel (Mechanics of Systems of Material Points and Rigid Bodies). Moscow: Fizmatlit; 2013, 268 p. (In Russ.). ISBN 978-5-9221-1481-3
Supplementary files
|
|
1. Satellite orbit elements | |
| Subject | ||
| Type | Исследовательские инструменты | |
View
(22KB)
|
Indexing metadata ▾ | |
- The Hamiltonian and equations of motion of the artificial satellite of the Moon (ASM) in canonical Delaunay variables are obtained.
- Averaged and non-averaged systems of equations of motion of the ASM are derived in the form of autonomous systems of ordinary differential equations with respect to the following orbital parameters: semi-major axis, eccentricity, inclination, longitude of the ascending node, longitude of the pericenter from the ascending node, and true anomalies.
- Integral curves and phase portraits were constructed to demonstrate the interrelationship of orbital parameters.
Review
For citations:
Meshkova O.V., Shatina A.V. Mathematical modeling of the orbital motion of an artificial satellite of the Moon using Delaunay variables. Russian Technological Journal. 2026;14(1):64-81. https://doi.org/10.32362/2500-316X-2026-14-1-64-81. EDN: JUUJON
JATS XML


























