Geopotential Harmonics of Order 15 and 30, from Analysis of the Orbit of Satellite 1971-10B.

Abstract

The satellite 1971-10B passed through exact 15th-order resonance on 1981 March 30, and orbital parameters have been determined at 52 epochs from some 3500 observations using the RAE orbit refinement program, PROP, between 1980 September and 1981 October. The variations in inclination and eccentricity during this time have been analysed, and six lumped 15th-order harmonic coefficients and two 30th-order coefficients have been evaluated. The 15th-order coefficients are the best yet obtained for an orbital inclination near 65 degrees; and previously there were no 30th-order coefficients available at this inclination. The lumped coefficients have been used to test the Goddard Earth Model GEM 10B: there is good agreement for seven of the eight coefficients.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1984
Accession Number
ADA146692

Entities

People

  • D. M. C. Walker

Organizations

  • Royal Aircraft Establishment

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Aircrafts
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Celestial Mechanics
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Earth Models
  • Eccentricity
  • Equations
  • Geopotential
  • Models
  • Observation
  • Observatories
  • Orbital Inclination
  • Orbits
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Satellite Orbits

Readers

  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris