CHAPTER 3

Three Body Problem

3.1 Equation of Motion for 3-body Problem

Let m1 , m1 and m3 be masses of Earth, Sun and satellite (or Moon)

respectively having their position vectors r1, r2, and r3 with respect
to inertial frame XYZ (see Fig. 3.). Here r1,3 represents position vector
between Earth and satellite. We have the following relationship
between these vectors:

r1,3 = r3 r1 (3.1)

r2,3 = r3 r2 (3.2)

Fig. 3.: Configuration of a 3-body problem.

The sum of gravitational forces acting on the Earth is obtained by using
Newton’s second law of motion and law of gravitation.

(3.3)

Similarly, total gravitational forces acting on the satellite is given by

(3.4)

Eq. (3.4) yields

(3.5)

Here represents acceleration of satellite with respect to inertial

frame. It can be generalized for n-body problem for obtaining the
acceleration of the ith body due to gravitational forces of n-body :

(3.6)

where

ri,, j = rj ri
3.2 Barycentric Equation of Motion

We would now like to express an expression for acceleration of

satellite with respect to barycentre (centre of mass of 3-bod
problem) as shown below in the figure.

Fig. 3.2: Geometry of barycentric motion

The position vectors of the Earth rCM1 and satellite rCM3 in the
barycentric frame are defined as follows:

rCM1 = r1 rCM (3.7a)

rCM3 = r3 rCM (3.7b)

The ri,, j in barycetric frame is denoted by rCM i,,j and which is give by

rCM i,,j = rCM j  rCM i,

rCM i,,j =(rj rCM )  ( ri CM)

rCM i,,j = rj ri (3.8)

Eqs. (3.7) imply that acceleration of the ith body in the barycentric
frame is equal to
= =
because . Therefore, acceleration of the satellite in the
barycetric frame is obtained from Eq. (3.6)

(3.9)
3.3 Restricted 3-body Problem

There is no analytical solution of 3-body problem. Although, we

can find numerical solution to the 3-body problem, but its
numerical solution is chaotic. For interplanetary mission, satellite
moving between two planets or moving from earth to moon, we
assume that the mass of satellite is small which moves under the
influences of gravitational forces of two bodies (two planets /
Earth & Moon) but these two large bodies are not affected by the
gravitation force of satellite. This particular type of 3-body problem
is called restricted 3-body problem.

Fig. 3.3: Restricted 3-body problem

The Equation of motion for two large bodies and satellite in
barycentric frame can be obtained by

(3.10)

Thus, we have following equations of motion in xy-plane for

restricted 3-body problem.
The solution to the motion of primary two large bodies depicts that
these two body move in a circular orbit with angular velocity

We obtain following equations of motion for the satellite by

employing kinematic equations in rotating frame:

We can rewrite the above equation by Dropping prime sign (‘) as

follows
 Multiplying each of three equations by ,
respectively and taking their sum:
Integrating this equation yields

It can be written in term of r1 and r2 as follows:

Let us choose the sum of mass of and be unit. Therefore,

we suppose

Where is called mass ratio. Assume G = 1 and . The

above equation measure the velocity of the satellite as follows:

(3.11)
The above equation is called Jacobi integral.

3.4 Perturbation due 3-body Problem

We have following perturbations due to 3-body problem:
 There are variations in all orbital elements due to
gravitational force of the Sun and the Moon. However, there
are no secular variation in the semi major axis.

 There are deviations in the argument of perihelion, longitude

of ascending node, and mean anomaly. For many orbits, the
lunar effect is larger because of it is closer to the Earth
(Vallodo, 2013).

 For approximately circular orbit, we have follow secular

variation in longitude of the ascending node:
(3.2)

(3.3)
 Similarly, the secular change in argument of perihelion is
calculated by
(3.4)

(3.5)
Where i is the orbit inclination and n is the number of orbit
revolution peday, and are in degree per day
Example 3.

How would determine the variations in the argument of perigee

and longitude of the ascending node due to perturbation of the
Sun and Moon for the satellite orbiting at an altitude of 400 km,
having an orbital period of 92.6 minute and an inclination of
51.60 ? [http://www.braeunig.us/space/index.htm]

Solution:

Data
i = 51.60
n = 1436 / 92.6 = 15.5 revolutions/day

We have following secular variation in longitude of the ascending

node:
(a) Moon

(b) Sun
The secular change in argument of perihelion is calculated by
(a) Moon

0.000101 deg/day
(b) Sun