Effect of Truncation of Gravity Field on Computed Satellite Orbits.
Abstract
The simulated effects on computed satellite orbits of the truncation of the series expansion for the earth's gravity field are found. Twice the rms effect of gravity coefficients above 12th degree and order on the computed orbit of a satellite at a height of 6-0 nautical miles is found to be less than 23 meters during a 24 hour period provided that (1) the rms of the gravity coefficients of degree n obeys the observed decay law of 10 to the minus 5th power/n squared for fully normalized coefficients, (2) resonance effects on the orbit are ignored and (3) the gravity coefficients up to the point of truncation are perfect. Under the same conditions, twice the rms effect decreased to 4 meters for a 600 mile orbit with 20th degree truncation. The maximum increased to 120 meters for a 200 mile orbit with 12th degree truncation. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0713918
Entities
People
- Carol W. Malyevac
Organizations
- Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division