PERTURBATIONS OF A SYNCHRONOUS SATELLITE DUE TO THE TRIAXIALITY OF THE EARTH

Abstract

An investigation was made of the behavior of a synchronous (24-hour) satellite as affected by the triaxiality of the earth. This includes not only the effect of the equatorial bulge but also the ellipticity of the earth's equatorial section. The results indicate that there are only two positions on the equator (123 degrees 9 min. West Longitude and 56 degrees 51 min. East longitude) at which a truly synchronous satellite can exist in a stable condition. To establish a synchronous satellite at any other longitude, station-keeping propulsion of the order of 51 fps for each year of operation would be required. If no station-keeping propulsion is provided, the satellite will execute long period (greater than 1.3 yeas) oscillations about the closest of the two stable positions mentioned above.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1962
Accession Number
AD0273726

Entities

People

  • R. H. Frick
  • T. B. Garber

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amplitude
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Communication Satellites
  • Contracts
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Differential Equations
  • Equations
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Geosynchronous Satellites
  • Government Procurement
  • Latitude
  • Linear Differential Equations
  • Longitude
  • Orbits
  • Satellite Orbits
  • Space Sciences
  • Time Intervals

Readers

  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Orbital Debris
  • Space - Satellites