On the use of a continuous thrust to find bounded planar trajectories at given altitudes in Low Earth Orbits

In this work, it is shown how a spacecraft equipped with a thrust and subjected to a drag force can be bounded at specific altitudes as function of the parameters of the thrust. It is used nonlinear dynamics tools to find attractors, which bound the motion of the spacecraft. For a specific set of parameters of the thrust, the spacecraft is bounded to a given altitude. Several forms for the thrusts are proposed in order to bound the altitude of the spacecraft. The influence of several forms of perturbations in the altitude of the spacecraft is also investigated in this work, like the solar radiation pressure, gravity of the Moon and oblateness of the Earth. Finally, nonlinear dynamics tools are also used to investigate transfers among the bounded orbits in different altitudes. (AU)