Symplectic tangent map for planetary motions

Equations are presented for the computation of tangent maps for use in near ly Keplerian motion, approximated by use of a symplectic leapfrog map. The resulting algorithms constitute more accurate and efficient methods to obta in the Liapunov exponents and the state transition matrix, and can be used to study chaos in planetary motions, as well as in orbit determination proc edures from observations. Applications include planetary systems, satellite motions and hierarchical, nearly Keplerian systems in general.