Orbit fluxuations in Mars orbit?

[Wilk]

Right now I'm in a fairly stable orbit around Mars, yet both my apogee and perigee are increasing? I'm using the Mars
2060 addon and have put the DG-III into the scenario. No engines are firing yet they are increasing. Has this got
something to do with the non spherical gravity sources by any chance? Any suggestions?

I keep watching it and now my Apogee is decreasing, while my perigee is increasing! What the hell do I do?

[tjohns]

Wilk wrote:
...Has this got something to do with the non spherical gravity sources by any chance?...

A simple and obvious test would be to turn off this in the LaunchPad & try!

Trev

[freespace2dotcom]

I suspect it is. I have the same deal while orbiting earth. but I'm far too lazy to test it by clicking something on the
launchpad.

[McBrain]

I think Mars doesn't have any nonspherical gravity maps. At least none I know of.

[Simonpro]

orbiter has an incredibly basic model of martian gravity - only the J2 term is modelled.

[Wilko]

Well I tried turning it off and (amazingly) the changing values were steady as a rock. Seeing as it is probably a
realistic approach to spaceflight and not a bug, I'll leave it on. Thanks all. Still made it to Phobos with it, hoorah!