Computer algebra methods for developing an artificial satellite motion theory within elliptic functions

The problem of developing a semianalytical theory of motion for artificial Earth satellites with large eccentricities is considered using elliptic function techniques. Computer-algebraic methods for symbolic computation of the coefficients of expansion for the disturbing function in multiples of the elliptic anomaly are described. Possibilities of computing analytically the Hamiltonian of a satellite perturbed motion by means of computer algebra are shown. The numerical technique to compute elliptic Hansen coefficients with the help of the Chebyshev approximation is presented. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.