29TH-Order Harmonics in the Geopotential from the Orbit of Ariel 1 at 29:2 Resonance.

Abstract

In analysing the orbit of Ariel 1 to determine upper-atmosphere winds, it was observed that the orbital inclination underwent a noticeable perturbation in November 1969 at the 29:2 resonance with the Earth's gravitational field, when the satellite track over the Earth repeats every 2 days after 29 revolutions. The variations in the inclination and eccentricity of the orbit between July 1969 and February 1970 have now been analysed, using 35 US Navy orbits, and fitted with theoretical curves to obtain lumped values of 29th-order harmonic coefficients in the geopotential. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1976
Accession Number
ADA041294

Entities

People

  • Doreen Walker

Organizations

  • Royal Aircraft Establishment

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Celestial Mechanics
  • Coefficients
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Eccentricity
  • Equations
  • Foreign Languages
  • Geopotential
  • Gravitational Fields
  • Orbital Elements
  • Orbital Inclination
  • Orbits
  • Perturbations
  • Resonance
  • Satellite Orbits
  • Standards

Readers

  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris