Effect of solar pressure on the motion and stability of the system of two inter-connected satellites in an elliptical orbit (Q1116726)

The effect of solar pressure on the two-dimensional motion of two cable- connected satellites in the Earth's central gravitational field of force for the elliptical orbit of the centre-of-mass of the system has been analyzed. The equations of motion obtained are nonlinear and non- autonomous. It is concluded with the aid of non-resonant solution that the system experiences resonance main as well as parametric. If the eccentricity is small, the system will always oscillate about the position of equilibrium with tight string like dumb-bell satellite with changing phase and constant amplitude.