Features of the Upper Atmosphere Revealed by Analysis of the Orbit of Cosmos 1009 Rocket, 1978-50B.
Abstract
Cosmos 1009 rocket was launched on 19 May 1978 into an orbit with initial perigee height 150 km and apogee 1100 km: its lifetime was only 17 days. The orbit has been determined daily during the final 14 days of its life. The orbits were analysed to reveal three features of the upper atmosphere at heights between 125 and 175 km. From the decrease in perigee height, five values of density scale height, accurate to + or - 4%, were obtained. Atmospheric oblateness produced a change of 4 deg in perigee position during the last four days of the life. Analysis showed that the ellipticity of the upper atmosphere was approximately equal to that of the Earth, f, for the first two of the four days, and about 1/2 f in the last two. The orbital inclination was analysed to determine zonal winds at heights of 150-160 km at latitudes near 47 deg north. The zonal wind was very weak (0 + or - 30 m/s) for 23-28 May at local times near 03 h; and 90 + or - 30 m/s east-to-west for 29 May to 4 June at local times near 01 h. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA091888
Entities
People
- Desmond King-Hele
- H. Hiller
Organizations
- Royal Aircraft Establishment