Averaged rotational dynamics of an asteroid in tumbling rotation under the YORP torque

S. Cicalò (1) , D. J. Scheeres (2)

1 Department of Mathematics
2 Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research

The secular effect of YORP torque on the rotational dynamics of an asteroid in non-principal axis rotation is studied. The general rotational equations of motion are derived and approximated with an illumination function expanded up to second order. The resulting equations of motion can be averaged over the fast rotation angles to yield secular equations for the angular momentum, dynamic inertia and obliquity. We study the properties of these secular equations and compare results to previous research. Finally, an application to several real asteroid shapes is made, in particular we study the predicted rotational dynamics of the asteroid Toutatis, which is known to be in a non-principal axis state.

Mots clés: Asteroid; Rotational dynamics; YORP effect; Tumbling rotation; Asteroid: Toutatis

S. Cicalò, D. J. Scheeres. Averaged rotational dynamics of an asteroid in tumbling rotation under the YORP torque. Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy, 2010, 106 (4), pp.301-337. ⟨10.1007/s10569-009-9249-7⟩. ⟨hal-00568372⟩