Design of low-altitude Martian orbits using frequency analysis

Nearly-circular Frozen Orbits (FOs) around axisymmetric bodies – or, quasi-circular Periodic (POs) non-axisymmetric are of primary concern in the design low-altitude survey missions. Here, we study very orbits (down to 50 km) a high-degree and order model Martian gravity field. We apply Prony’s Frequency Analysis (FA) characterize time variation their orbital elements by computing accurate quasi-periodic decompositions eccentricity inclination vectors. An efficient, iterative filtering algorithm, previously applied lunar orbiters, complements method is used accurately compute locations POs/FOs, for wide range initial conditions. By defining ’distance’ any orbit from family POs using relative amplitudes different components motion, can build ’dynamical fate maps’ that graphically depict survivability low-eccentricity, at every inclination, be efficient mission planning. While lowering altitude generally enhances effect tesseral sectorial harmonics, find this have less consequence low satellites, contrast with Lunar case. Hence, (?20th) adequate preliminary moderate altitudes, but should complemented altitudes methods described here. All families spectral effectively computed continuation arbitrarily complex models, as our algorithm requires only short integration arcs.