On a two-body problem with periodically changing equivalent gravitational parameter

Assigning to the equivalent gravitational parameter of a two‐body dynamic system, a periodic change of a small amplitude B and arbitrary frequency and phase, the behaviour of an elliptic‐type orbit is studied. The first order (in B) perturbations of the orbital elements are determined by using Delaunay's canonical variables. According to the value of the ratio between oscillation frequency and dynamic frequency, three cases (non‐resonant (NR), quasi‐resonant (QR), and resonant (R) ones) are pointed out. The solution of motion equations shows that only in the QR and R cases there are elements (argument of pericentre and mean anomaly) affected by secular perturbations. The solutions are valid over prediction times of order of pericentre and mean anomaly) affected by secular perturbations. The solutions are valid over prediction times of order B−1 in the NR case and B−1/2 in the QR and R cases.