STATISTICAL PROPERTIES OF ORBIT PERTURBATIONS INDUCED BY THE EARTH'S ANOMALOUS GRAVITY

Abstract

Lower bounds are obtained for the covariances of the orbital elements of an initially circular orbit due to omissions of harmonics of a given degree in the expansion of the earth's gravity potential. This is accomplished by applying the methods of linear estimation theory to the surface gravimetry results of Kaula, extended to satellite altitudes. Numerical results are presented for the case of a 100-n mi geocentric orbit.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1967
Accession Number
AD0815441

Entities

People

  • Norman S. Hall
  • Robert H. Gersten
  • Rogers C. Gore

Organizations

  • The Aerospace Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Altitude
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Circular Orbits
  • Covariance
  • Differential Equations
  • Earth Orbits
  • Equations
  • Equations Of Motion
  • Gravimetry
  • Gravity
  • Harmonics
  • Integrals
  • Orbital Elements
  • Orbits
  • Space Systems

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Statistical inference.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris