Need to calculate orbital elements for six spacecraft ...

[llarian]

Here is a challenge and one which challenges my very limited abilities in orbital calculation.

I plan a solar orbit at 1.6 AU from the sun. There will be six co-orbital spacecraft in this orbit at equidistant points beginning at the first point of Ares. What will be, or how will I determine, the orbital elements for each position?

Regards

 

[Urwumpe]

Are they all in the ecliptic plane? Than it might be trivial: Just give the spacecraft different mean longitude at epoch in scenario editor: 0°, 60°, 120°, ....

 

[llarian]

All in the Ecliptic plane would be simplest. With the inclination difference between Earth and Mars it would be the easiest but I may want to split the difference. The six vessels are intended to be "safe harbour" stations for Earth-Mars missions. I didn't think the scenario editor would handle it so I will look at that next. Thanks for the tip.