A High-Precision Dynamical Model of Callisto: Incorporating Rotation Effects within Multi-Layer Internal Structure Models

TL;DR

This paper develops a high-precision dynamical model of Callisto that incorporates rotational effects and internal structure, improving orbital predictions crucial for future space missions and ephemerides accuracy.

Contribution

It introduces a novel dynamical model that integrates Callisto's rotation and internal structure effects, enhancing the accuracy of orbital predictions over existing simplified models.

Findings

Differences between the new model and current ephemerides are on the order of tens of meters.

Internal structure variations affect Callisto's orbit by meters, indicating the need for detailed internal constraints.

The model provides a platform for testing data from the Tianwen-4 mission.

Abstract

China is planing to launch the Tianwen-4 mission around the year 2030, with its aim being the exploration of Jupiter and its moon, Callisto. Within the realm of deep space exploration, the accuracy of ephemerides is of great importance. Current ephemerides employ a simplified rotation model for Callisto, which this study addresses by proposing a novel dynamical model. This model enhancesthe existing orbital dynamics by integrating Callisto's rotational motions influenced by gravitational torques from the Sun, Jupiter, and other Galilean moons within an inertial frame, capturing the intricate coupling between Callisto's orbital and rotational dynamics. The study establishes a full dynamical model by deriving analytical expressions for this coupling and developing an adjustment model for data fitting using precise orbit determination methods. Furthermore, the influence of tidal effects on Callisto's motion is investigated, considering its multi-layered internal structure. Results demonstrate that the difference between the newly established full model and the model in current ephemerides is on the order of tens of meters. When calculating the impact of different internal structures of Callisto on its orbit, the influence of three-layered and two-layered structures is on the order of meters, suggesting that the development of a high-precision dynamical model requires additional constraints on the internal structure of Callisto. This research provides a novel alternative for a new generation of precise numerical ephemerides for Callisto. Additionally, these findings provide a testing platform for the data from the Tianwen-4 mission.