ON THE MOTION OF AN ARTIFICIAL EARTH SATELLITE
Abstract
The periodic position and velocity perturbations of an artificial earth satellite are developed to the first order for all Jn, based on the theory by Brouwer as extended by Giacagliz. An explicit formulation is also provided for the subset J2, J3, J4. The use of a position and velocity formulation circumvents the equatorial and circular orbit singularities found in conventional developments. The definition of the mean elements of the theory is modified to reduce the complexity of the position perturbations, as suggested by Merson's Theory, and the resulting changes to the secular terms are developed. In order to facilitate an empirical correction for drag, the observed mean motion is introduced as a mean element in place of the semi-major axis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0640315
Entities
People
- J. B. Frazer
Organizations
- MITRE Corporation