AN APPROXIMATE SOLUTION TO THE RELATIVE MOTION OF TWO CLOSE SATELLITES IN THE PRESENCE OF DRAG AND OBLATENESS,
Abstract
This memorandum is concerned with the relative motion of two satellites under the influence of air drag and the J term in the earth's potential. An exponential atmosphere is assumed, and a linear fit is shown to be satisfactory for changes in altitude of up to about 40 percent of the scale height. The motion is referred to a coordinate system attached to an infinitely heavy satellite moving along a circular orbit at an altitude of 100 n mi. The first-order effects of drag and oblateness are obtained, using a two-time variable-expansion procedure proposed by Kevorkian (The two variable expansion procedures for the approximate solution of certain non-linear differential equations, Douglas Aircraft Co., Douglas report SM-42620 Dec. 3, 1962). The two satellites are assumed to start out from the same point on the circular orbit, but with a tangential velocity difference of not more than about 10 ft/sec. Simple algebraic expressions are obtained which provide a quick and fairly accurate way to determine the separation distance at the end of n orbits. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0620834
Entities
People
- H. B. Schechter
- J. D. Cole
Organizations
- RAND Corporation