Numerical solution of the Circular Restricted Three Body Problem (CR3BP)

Khuloudoh Maikho

Year of Study: 3rd Date of Review: 29/10/2022

Contact details: 7024599381

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Project type: Summer Project

Motivation to pursue project: I was interested in how to numerically & accurately simulate spaceflight trajectories. So the prof suggested me the CR3BP to begin with.

Summary of Project: The work involved the study of Hamiltonian and Lagrangian mechanics to model the CR3BP and generate a solution using symplectic integration schemes for different cases. I developed a python code to simulate the system for different initial conditions and observe the resulting trajectories while making sure to have the system invariants remain constant. references:

• Book: Analytical Mechanics of Aerospace Systems, Hanspeter Schaub and John L. Junkins
• Book: Orbital Mechanics for Engineering Students, Howard D. Curtis
• Book: Geometric Numerical Integration, Ernst Hairer (regarded as famous book)
• Book: Dynamical Systems, the Three-Body Problem and Space Mission Design. Link: http://www.dept.aoe.vt.edu/~sdross/books/index.html#space_book (this is a free E-book)

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