orbital intersection

quote:

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here''s one for you all-

I''m trying to figure out the math for 2 particles in orbits of the same height/velocity to determine when the two orbits intersect and how to get particle A to collide with particle B without changing height or velocity (relative to the center).

I''m assuming the initial orbits are perfectly circular.

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are they moving in the same plane? if so you can simply use their angular velocity and solve a linear equation.

Actually, I solved the intersection part an hour after I posted this. I use vectors for the axis of rotation and it''s a simple matter of getting the cross product.

Assumptions:
-particles are in the same "sphere" or orbital shell around a point.
-particles orbit equatorially (bisecting the sphere)
-axis of rotation goes through the sphere''s central point

The rest, as you''ve said is a simple linear equation.

Next problem: getting a satellite in orbit to pass over a precise spot on the planet''s surface.