Hyperbolic orbits of Earth flybys and effects of ungravity-inspired conservative potentials. (18th May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bertolami, O; Francisco, F; Gil, P J S
• Is Part Of: Classical and quantum gravity. Volume 33:Number 12(2016:Jun.)
• Publication Date: 2016-05-18
• Subjects: Earth flybys -- hyperbolic trajectories -- modified gravity; 0450Kd -- 0480-y -- 9530Sf; Quantum gravity -- Periodicals; Gravitation -- Periodicals; Relativity (Physics) -- Periodicals; Space and time -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 521.1
• DOI: 10.1088/0264-9381/33/12/125021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-9381

Abstract

Abstract: In this work we take a critical look at the available data on the flyby anomaly and on the current limitations of attempts to develop an explanation. We aim to verify how conservative corrections to gravity could affect the hyperbolic trajectories of Earth flybys. We use ungravity-inspired potentials as illustrative examples and show how the resulting orbital simulations differ from the observed anomaly. We also get constraints on the model parameters from the observed flyby velocity shifts. The conclusion is that no kind of conservative potential can be the cause of the flyby anomaly.