The Lambert problem is to determine the gravitational orbit between two points that has a specified time of flight, allowing the second point to be a moving target such as a satellite. After a review of gravitational orbits, a solution of the Lambert problem is presented using the path equation directly. However, because the time interval is specified, the solution requires a search procedure. An example is given to illustrate the method.
REFERENCES
1.
Lambert's problem—Wikipedia.
2.
R. R.
Bate
,
D. D.
Mueller
,
J. E.
White
, and
W. W.
Saylor
, Fundamentals of Astrodynamics
(
Dover Books
,
Mineola, NY
, 1971
).3.
R. H.
Battin
, An Introduction to the Mathematics and Methods of Astrodynamics
(
AIAA Education Series
,
Reston, VA
, 1999
).4.
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2022
Author(s)
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