EFFECTS OF ATMOSPHERE ROTATION RATE ON ORBITS AND ORBIT DETERMINATION

Abstract

The effect of increased atmosphere rotation rate on low perigee altitude orbits and the effect of underestimation of atmosphere rotation rate on orbit determination are displayed using simulation results. Crosstrack changes in satellite position due to increased rotation rate are small. Intrack changes, though larger, are small-error sources in orbit determination and short-term prediction if a seven-parameter fit is used. The angles between satellite inertial velocity and wind vectors that produce zero tangential acceleration and maximum normal acceleration are derived for any wind and for the special case of a circular orbit in a rotating atmosphere. This analysis explains the increased decay rates of some near-polar orbits due to a rotating atmosphere and the inability to predict this effect with frequently used approximations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1967
Accession Number
AD0815397

Entities

People

  • R. B. Freund

Organizations

  • The Aerospace Corporation

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Altitude
  • Apogees
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Atmospheres
  • Circular Orbits
  • Elevation
  • Equatorial Orbits
  • Latitude
  • Literature
  • Low Altitude
  • Orbits
  • Polar Orbits
  • Satellite Orbits
  • Simulations
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris