Estimation of the Probability of Capture into Resonance and Parametric Analysis in the Descent of an Asymmetric Spacecraft in an Atmosphere

Under consideration is the nonlinear dynamical system describing the near-resonance motion in the atmosphere of a spacecraft with small aerodynamic, mass, and inertial asymmetries. The aim of the study is to obtain an expression for estimating the probability of capture into the principal resonance. It is shown that the expression for estimating the probability of capture into resonance makes it possible to determine the magnitude of asymmetries of the spacecraft both in the realization of capture into and in passing through the principal resonance. The veracity of the obtained estimate of the probability of capture into resonance is confirmed by the results of numerical simulation in the problem of descent of a spacecraft in the atmosphere of Mars. © 2018, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.