simple orbit propagator?

Question

can anybody please help me. i am asked to develop a simple orbit propagator for the satellite navigation. can give me ideas how to start this.

Answer 1

Well there are some simple methods that you could use that avoid talking about orbits if you say the satellite is in a circular orbit, but in case that is not true try looking up Kepler's Equation or the Time-of-Flight equations. These will require you to find/determine the orbital parameters a, e, i, etc. Look for books on astrodynamics that talk about Kepler's Equation, the Time-of-Flight equations, and eccentric anomaly...I suggest

1. Bate, R.R., Mueller, D.D., White, J.E., Fundamentals of Astrodynamics, Dover Publications, New York, 1971.

2. Battin, R.H., An Introduction to the Mathematics and Methods of Astrodynamics, New York, 1987.

3. Chobotov, V.A. (ed.), Orbital Mechanics, 3rd Edition, AIAA, Washington, DC, 2002.

4. Kaplan, M.H., Modern Spacecraft Dynamics and Controls, Wiley, New York, 1976.

Answer 2

if its a polar orbiting satellite then you might have to adjust for a lack of gravity around the opening ;)