The Main Stages of the Construction of AE89—The Numerical Ephemeris of the Planets and the Moon

The realization of theoretical and applied researches in the domain of ephemeris astronomy, connected with analysis of precision of existing planetary and lunar theories, the construction of an inertial coordinate system and investigation of physical properties of space-time, necessitated the elaboration in ITA of the numerical theory of the motion of heavenly bodies suitable for calculation of high-precision ephemerides at large time-spans, and fit also for the maintenance of space experiments.