Existence of Equilibrium Points in the R3BP with Variable Mass When the Smaller Primary is an Oblate Spheroid

Abstract

The paper deals with the existence of equilibrium points in the restricted three-body problem when the smaller primary is an oblate spheroid and the infinitesimal body is of variable mass. Following the method of small parameters; the co-ordinates of collinear equilibrium points have been calculated, whereas the co-ordinates of triangular equilibrium points are established by classical method. On studying the surface of zero-velocity curves, it is found that the mass reduction factor has very minor effect on the location of the equilibrium points; whereas the oblateness parameter of the smaller primary has a significant role on the existence of equilibrium points.