ODD ZONAL HARMONICS IN THE GEOPOTENTIAL, DETERMINED FROM 14 WELL-DISTRIBUTED SATELLITE ORBITS.
Abstract
Coefficients of the odd zonal harmonics in the Earth's gravitational potential are evaluated by analysing the oscillations in orbital eccentricity of 17 satellites, chosen to give the widest and most uniform possible distribution in inclination and semi major axis. Three of the satellites are excluded for various reasons; the other 14 yield various sets of values for the odd zonal harmonic coefficients J3, J5, J7... The best representations of the odd harmonics in the potential appear to be in terms of either 7 or 10 coefficients, assuming that higher-degree coefficients are zero.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0646304
Entities
People
- Desmond King-Hele
- Diana W. Scott
- G. E. Cook
Organizations
- Royal Aircraft Establishment