[net.space] orbital calculations?

fred@inuxc.UUCP (06/09/83)

I'm looking for some information about orbital computation
methods. I'm writing a computer program for home computer systems 
that essentially solve the n body gravitational (n something around
ten bodies) attractional problem. I would like the program to
be able to plot out earth to moon orbits, show the stabilities of the
L-5 points, and demonstrate the gravitational whip and braking effects
of planetary fly-bys. I intend to solve the differential equations
using either a Runge Kutta or predictor corrector formulation.
	Now to my question. How do the big boys (NASA - JPL etc)
formulate this problem when they are running orbital calculations?


					Fred (ABI Indy)