Any system that stores up energy influences a change in its state by dispensing the stored energy. This has become the key factor in identifying the unstable systems in the world that, after dispensing the stored-up energy, nudge to a least or nil energy state in its stable equilibrium position. In rocket science, if these positions are identified and the satellites are positioned in these places, it would eventually demand less fuel storage and sustain the intended research program for a long time. Any disturbances to the stable systems also would draw such systems back into the stable position, causing them to be passively stable. Observation of the sun requires the establishment of space laboratories inside the satellites placed at these stable points called Lagrange points, which are named after the scientist Lagrange. The forces that interact with the satellite systems are the gravitational forces of the Sun and Earth and the centrifugal forces of the satellite itself, which have an instantaneous center of rotation. Hence, the balance of these forces resolves to those Lagrange points. This article sheds some light on the computation of the Lagrange points, and a case study shows how the Lagrange point is exploited to position the Aditya module for solar observation. Any comments, criticism, or suggestions are welcome. (S. Joseph Winston)
Any system that stores up energy influences a change in its state by dispensing the stored energy. This has become the key factor in identifying the unstable systems in the world that, after dispensing the stored-up energy, nudge to a least or nil energy state in its stable equilibrium position. In rocket science, if these positions are identified and the satellites are positioned in these places, it would eventually demand less fuel storage and sustain the intended research program for a long time. Any disturbances to the stable systems also would draw such systems back into the stable position, causing them to be passively stable. Observation of the sun requires the establishment of space laboratories inside the satellites placed at these stable points called Lagrange points, which are named after the scientist Lagrange. The forces that interact with the satellite systems are the gravitational forces of the Sun and Earth and the centrifugal forces of the satellite itself, which have an instantaneous center of rotation. Hence, the balance of these forces resolves to those Lagrange points.
This article sheds some light on the computation of the Lagrange points, and a case study shows how the Lagrange point is exploited to position the Aditya module for solar observation. Any comments, criticism, or suggestions are welcome.
(S. Joseph Winston)