Periodic orbit families around slow-rotating dipole-segment bodies: The case of the asteroid Itokawa

Elipe, Antonio (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Ferreira, Alessandra F.S. ; Abad, Alberto

Resumen: The Dipole-Segment (DS) model has proven to be a useful approximation for representing the gravitational potential of elongated asteroids with end-point protrusions. The model consists of a massive rod with two spherical masses attached at its extremities, rotating about its center of mass with uniform angular velocity. The potential function depends on three parameters, one of which, K, is associated with the rotation rate. The dynamical behavior of the system therefore varies significantly between fast- and slow-rotating bodies. This work provides a comprehensive dynamical characterization of the DS model applied to a slow-rotating asteroid. As a case study, we consider asteroid (25143) Itokawa, for which we compute a complete family map of symmetric periodic orbits and assess their stability properties; these are then compared with analogous families of periodic orbits of the Restricted Three-Body Problem. Furthermore, we identify heteroclinic connections between unstable isosceles equilibria. These results demonstrate that slow rotation gives rise to a significantly richer dynamical structure than previously observed for moderate–to–fast rotations, highlighting the relevance of rotational effects in mission design around small irregular bodies.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2026.03.036

Año: 2026

Publicado en: Advances in Space Research 77, 9 (2026), 9105-9126
ISSN: 0273-1177

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/E24-26R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICIU/PID2024-156002NB-I00

Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)

Área (Departamento): Área Matemática Aplicada (Dpto. Matemática Aplicada)