A Study of the Positions and Velocities of a Space Station and a Ferry Vehicle During Rendezvous and Return

Abstract

A study i s made of the families of nonthrusting ascent trajectories of a ferry vehicle during rendex-VOUR with a n orbiting body, referred to as a space station.I t i s shown that these trajectories may also be interpreted as descent trajectories ?f the ferry .from the station to the earth.The rendezvous trajectories stari at the end qf the boost period (assumed to be 60 m i l r s ) and terminate at the station.The equations qf rnotion nrr dericed and results are shown, for two tiypical orbits qf the station: a 300-mile circular orbit and a 100-to 500-mile elliptical orbit.Trajectories are &scribed i n terms qf a rotating coordinate system fixed in the station and launch conditions are tabuluted i n terms of nonrotating inertial coordinates.Boundaries are given in terms of launch (at time of booster burnout) and rendexuous conditions .for the example cases.The considerations used to calculate these boiindnries and the signiJicance qf some of the trends are discussed.