A Comparison of Densities Deduced from Radar Determined Orbital Decay and Accelerometer Measurements from Low Altitude Satellites,
Abstract
A comparison has been made of atmospheric density as deduced from high resolution radar-determined orbital decay data and from data supplied by a uniaxial MESA accelerometer flown onboard two low altitude satellites in June-July and August-September, 1970. The radar deduced densities, having an effective six hour time resolution, were determined at altitudes of 143 km and 169 km, very close to one-half scale height above perigee for the two satellites respectively. The accelerometer-deduced densities at these same altitudes were obtained on both the approaching-perigee and leaving-perigee portion of each of 59 orbits for the lower altitude satellite and each of 250 orbits for the higher altitude satellite. A detailed time comparison of the densities derived from radar-tracking and the accelerometer is presented. (Modified author abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 21, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0770989
Entities
People
- Hugo R. Rugge
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation