The positions of relative equilibrium in the circular orbit of an elastic artificial satellite and their stability (Q1314201)

Title's artificial satellite's centre of mass moves in a central Newtonian force field on a circular orbit with constant angular velocity. It is modelled as a solid body consisting of a rigid and an elastic region equipped with a mass density; it is supposed that the local small deformation can be represented by a finite series of the natural modes. The potential of the gravitational attraction is calculated approximately. The elastic region is supposed to be is isotropic. Nonlinear terms of the coordinates and their time derivatives are neglected. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given to find the trivial positions of the relative equilibrium, then for those to be stable. An example is given in which the elastic part in the undeformed state is a straight circular rod.