Artificial satellites and the three-body problem: A general case (Q1183032)

We study the planar problem, in which the satellites move along close orbits in a plane which forms an angle \(\theta\) with the equatorial plane of the planet; the oblateness of which exercises a great effect. The practical importance of this problem arises from its applications. Differential equations of motion are given and particular solutions are shown to exist when the centers of masses are at the vertices of a nearly equilateral triangle or are collinear. Of course, if we take the first two terms of the Legendre series with \(\theta=0\), we shall obtain the same results as \textit{E. P. Aksënov} [Astron. Zh. 65, No. 5, 1099-1104 (1988; Zbl 0653.70011)].