Equations Section for Orbital Mechanics

k =GM

Where k is the gravitational parameter, G is the gravitational constant, and M is the mass of the
orbited object.

r3
T =2
k
Where T is the period in seconds of a circular orbit about a body, r is the distance between the
objects, and k is the gravitational parameter.
For an elliptical orbit, the period of orbit is measured via the major axis of the ellipse described
by Equation ___ [http://www.polaris.iastate.edu/EveningStar/Unit6/unit6_sub3.htm]
2

P =a

Where P is the period in years, and a is the semi-major axis of the ellipse defined by half of the
maximum distance between two objects.
The velocity at the periapsis and apoapsis of the elliptical orbit is described by Equation __ and
___ respectively.

v p=

k1+e
a( 1e)

va =

k1e
a (1+e)

Validation of Orbital Mechanics etc.

The first step to using a transfer orbit between Earth and Europa is to determine the orbit
parameters about the sun. Since Earth is 1 AU from the sun, and Europa is 5.196 AU from the
sun at point of entry into its atmosphere, the major axis of the ellipse that connects these bodies
calculated as shown in Figure ___.

In the diagram, r1 represents the Earths distance from the sun, v1 represents the escape velocity
of the satellite with respect to the sun, r2 represents Europas distance from the sun, v2 represents
the velocity of the satellite when it reaches Europa. The major axis of this ellipse is defined as
half of the distance between r1 and r2. Using this rule, the major axis between Earth and Europa
is 3.098 AU, which correlates to a period of rotation for the satellite of 5.45 years; equivalent to
2.725 years to reach Europa.
In order to leave Earths orbit with a parabolic trajectory, the satellite must reach an escape
velocity of 11.19 km/s relative to Earth. The Earth travels at a 29.78 km/s relative to the sun
[http://ccar.colorado.edu/asen5050/projects/projects_2001/patel/Europa.html]. Since the satellite
can exit Earths atmosphere in the direction of Earths motion or against it, the exit velocity with
respect to the sun can be either 40.97 km/s if launched with Earths orbit, or 18.59 km/s against
it.
In order for the satellite to be in a transfer orbit to Jupiter, it must have a speed at periapsis of
40.39 km/s [http://ccar.colorado.edu/asen5050/projects/projects_2001/patel/Europa.html].
Therefore the satellite should be launched in the direction of Earths motion and be slowed down
by a V of -0.58 km/s post exit. Post launch the eccentricity of orbit about the sun can be found
via Equation __ since the velocity at periapsis, gravitational parameter, and major axis are
known. The orbital eccentricity for this orbit is 0.7013, which when input into Equation ___, the
velocity at apoapsis, where it transfers into Europas orbit, would be 7.10 km/s relative to the
sun.
The velocity of Jupiter with respect to the sun is accepted as approximately 13.06 km/s. The
velocity of Europa about Jupiter is accepted as 13.74 km/s. Since Europa has a prograde orbit
about Jupiter, when it is behind Jupiter, it has a velocity of 26.80 km/s relative to the sun. When
it is in front of Jupiter, it has a velocity of -0.68 km/s relative to the sun. To maintain a smaller
V, the best option for entering Europas orbit is when it is in front of Jupiter, the V for this
option is smaller. The previous calculations are based upon the assumption that the satellite
would enter Europas orbit in front of Jupiter; if the satellite were to enter Europas orbit behind
Jupiter, it would have a speed at apoapsis of 6.98 km/s instead which would require a higher V
to reach the same orbital speed.

The required speed to circularly orbit Europa depends on the height of orbit for the satellite. A
trade study in the form of a weighted decision matrix was performed to determine this height as
shown in Table ____. The weight values for each design factor are based upon their importance
and ranked from 1 to 4, with 4 being the most important.

Table 1: Weighted Decision Matrix Trade Study for Orbital Height

Design Factor
Component
Resolution
Required V for
Transfer Orbit
Required Fuel to
Maintain Orbit
Total

Factor
Weight

Option 1
100 km

Option 2
150 km

Option 3
200 km

Option 4
250 km

15

20

25

30

Component resolution had the highest weight since the satellites purpose is to utilize these
components. As the height of orbit increases, this resolution of measurements on Europa
decreases, which makes option 1, a 100 km orbit, optimal. The orbit height cannot be below 100
km, since the altimeters optimal operation region is between 100 km and 200 km.
The required V for transfer orbit had the second highest weight since it will require large
amounts of fuel and oxidizer to be added to the payload mass. The 100 km orbit is optimal for
this requirement since the satellite velocity prior to transfer is higher than the required velocity to
orbit Europa at a 100 km to 250 km range. The closer this orbit is to Europa, the less V must be
applied to the satellite to enter orbit.
The required fuel to maintain orbit has the third highest weight since it will continuously require
minor amounts of energy. Since there are no solar panels, some energy can come from the
radioisotope thermoelectric generator, however some fuel and oxidizer will be stored for major
corrections. The 250 km orbit is optimal for this requirement. At higher orbits, there is less drag
generated by minor atmosphere and water vapor. Since the atmosphere is negligible around
Europa this requirement will be small.
Other minor issues include risk of collision, however since Europa has minimal atmosphere and
most debris would be in closer orbit to Jupiter, this is not considered in the decision for orbit
height. Based upon these results, the best orbital height around Europa is at 100 km.
At a 100 km orbital height, with a circular orbit, the required satellite velocity relative to Europa
is calculated via Equation ___ to be 1.433 km/s. At the transition point between orbits, this
correlates to a prograde velocity of -2.113 km/s relative to the sun or a retrograde velocity of

0.753 km/s relative to the sun. Since the satellite velocity relative to the sun prior to transfer into
Europa orbit is 7.10 km/s, the smaller V occurs if the satellite goes into retrograde orbit. The
required V for this transfer is -6.347 km/s.
The total V for the escape velocity from Earth, elliptical orbit about the Sun, and transfer into
circular orbit about Europa is approximately 18.12 km/s. The best check for accuracy of this
calculations is to compare to the published V required to reach Jupiter: 24.192 km/s.
[http://www.projectrho.com/public_html/rocket/appmissiontable.php]. For this satellite the V is
smaller since the orbit about Jupiter requires higher velocities and assumes a prograde rotation,
increasing the necessary velocity.