Trajectory Anomalies in Interplanetary Spacecraft A Method for Determining Accelerations Due to Thermal Emissions and New Mission Proposals /

• Main Author: Francisco, Frederico (Author)
• Corporate Author: SpringerLink (Online service)
• Format: Electronic eBook
• Language: English
• Published: Cham : Springer International Publishing : Imprint: Springer, 2015.
• Series: Springer Theses, Recognizing Outstanding Ph.D. Research,
• Subjects: Physics.; Space sciences.; Aerospace engineering.; Astronautics.; Extraterrestrial Physics, Space Sciences.; Theoretical, Mathematical and Computational Physics.; Aerospace Technology and Astronautics.

 This thesis presents fundamental work that explains two mysteries concerning the trajectory of interplanetary spacecraft. For the first problem, the so-called Pioneer anomaly, a wholly new and innovative method was developed for computing all contributions to the acceleration due to onboard thermal sources. Through a careful analysis of all parts of the spacecraft Pioneer 10 and 11, the application of this methodology has yielded the observed anomalous acceleration. This marks a major achievement, given that this problem remained unsolved for more than a decade. For the second anomaly, the flyby anomaly, a tiny glitch in the velocity of spacecraft that perform gravity assisting maneuvers on Earth, no definitive answer is put forward; however a quite promising strategy for examining the problem is provided and a new mission is proposed. The proposal largely consists in using the Galileo Navigational Satellite System to track approaching spacecraft, and in considering a small test body that approaches Earth from a highly elliptic trajectory. 

 Introduction -- The Pioneer Anomaly and Thermal Effects in Spacecraft -- Cassini Gravitational Experiments -- Outer Solar System (OSS) Mission Proposal -- The Flyby Anomaly and Options for Its Study -- Conclusions and Outlook.