Orbital Dynamics in the Gravitational Field of Small Bodies

This prizewinning PhD thesis presents a general discussion of the orbital motion close to solar system small bodies (SSSBs), which induce non-central asymmetric gravitational fields in their neighborhoods. It introduces the methods of qualitative theory in nonlinear dynamics to the study of local/global behaviors around SSSBs. Detailed mechanical models are employed throughout this dissertation, and specific numeric techniques are developed to compensate for the difficulties of directly analyzing. Applying this method, several target systems, like asteroid 216 Kleopatra, are explored in great detail, and the results prove to be both revealing and pervasive for a large group of SSSBs. 

Dr. Yang Yu received his Ph. D. degree from Tsinghua University in 2013. Currently Dr. Yu is Postdoc researcher at Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, Nice in France. He works on nonlinear dynamics and space exploration of asteroids, and his Ph. D. thesis has won "Excellent Doctoral Dissertation of Tsinghua University" in 2014. Publications: 1. Yu Y., Baoyin H., Li J. Dynamic modeling and analysis of space webs. Science China Physics, Mechanics & Astronomy, 2011, 54(4): 783-791. (IF: 0.863) 2. Yu Y., Baoyin H. Orbital dynamics in the vicinity of asteroid 216  Kleopatra. The Astronomical Journal, 2012, 143, 62. (IF: 4.052) 3. Yu Y., Baoyin H. Resonant orbits in the vicinity of asteroid 216 leopatra. Astrophysics and Space Science, 2013, 343(1): 75-82. (IF: 2.401) 4. Yu Y., Baoyin H. Generating families of 3D periodic orbits about asteroids. Monthly notices of the royal astronomical society, 2012, 427(1): 872-881. (IF: 5.226) 5. Yu Y., Baoyin H. Routing the asteroid surface vehicle with detailed mechanics. Acta Mechanica Sinica, 2014, 30(3): 301-309. (IF: 0.616) 6. Baoyin H., Yu Y., Li J. Orbital maneuver for a rotating tethered system via tidal forces. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 2013, 50(5): 1060-1068. (IF: 0.474) 7. Yu Y., Richardson D. C., Michel P., Schwartz S. R., Ballouz R. Numerical predictions of surface effects during the 2029 close approach of asteroid 99942 Apophis. Icarus. 2014, 242: 82-96. (IF: 2.840) 8. Yu Y., Baoyin H. Modeling and migrating grains on asteroid’s surface. Astrophysics and Space Science. In Press. (IF: 2.401) 9. Ballouz R., Richardson D. C., Michel P., Schwartz S. R., Yu Y. Numerical simulations of collisional disruption of rotating gravitational aggregates: dependence on material properties. Planetary and Space Science. In Press. (IF: 1.630) 10. Yu Y., Baoyin H., Li J., Chen Y. Static and dynamic analysis of space webs. 61st International Astronautical Congress Proceedings, Prague, 2010. 11. Yu Y., Baoyin H., Chen Y., Li J., Gong S., Zeng X. The orbital propulsion of spinning tether via angular momentum transfer. 62nd International Astronautical Congress Proceedings, Cape Town, 2011. 12. Richardson D. C., Michel P., Schwartz S., Yu Y., Ballouz R., Matsumura S. Applications of granular dynamics numerical simulations to asteroid surfaces. Asteroids, Comets and Meteors, Helsinki, 2014. 13. Statler T., Richardson D. C., Walsh K., Yu Y., Michel P. A mechanism for self-reinforcing YORP acceleration of fast-rotating asteroids. Asteroids, Comets and Meteors, Helsinki, 2014. Prizes and awards: 2014 Excellent Doctoral Dissertation of Tsinghua University 2013 National Scholarship 2012 First-class SMC Scholarship 2011 Freshman Scholarship for Doctoral Student 2010 First-class SMC Scholarship 2009 Excellent Graduate Award of Beihang University 2006 Kwang-Hua Scholarship