RESEARCH ON THE PRACTICE AND IMPROVEMENT OF METHODS OF OBSERVING ARTIFICIAL EARTH SATELLITES
Abstract
Two different methods for the continuous tracking of satellites have been employed at several stations in West-Germany. Both observation methods, optical and radio, were improved during the tests. In addition, Doppler-shift observations and radio bearings were made. For the latter a modern direction finder is used. The accuracy of the photographic observations is about 0.01 sec in time and .002 degree in place while the errors of the radio bearings at 20 Mcs are considerably greater with values of 1 sec resp. 0.5 degree. Since the variable air drag causes one of the greatest uncertainties for the prognoses of satellites the vertical air density profile was determined with the observed acceleration of satellites. A pronounced variability was found due to several major extraterrestrial effects. It is possible to establish a model for the density variation to improve the predictions of satellites. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0276728
Entities
People
- H.k. Paetzold
Organizations
- University of Cologne