Solution of the coast-arc problem using sundman transformation

Abstract

The solution of the coast-arc problem is derived by using Sundman transformation and properties of generalized canonical systems. An universal closed-form solution, valid for all orbits, is obtained as function of a generalized anomaly. Simplifications for near parabolic orbits are also presented and the singularities for near equatorial orbits are eliminated by introducing a set of nonsingular orbits. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.