Analysis of the Orbit of Cosmos 1335 (1982-07A) at 31:2 Resonance.
Abstract
Cosmos 1335 (1982-07A) was launched on 29 January 1982 into a near-circular orbit of inclination 74 deg, and decayed on 5 April 1987. The orbit has been determined from observations for 26 epochs between September 1985 and May 1986, a time when the orbit was experiencing the effects of 31:2 resonance with the Earth's gravitational field. About 1400 observations were used, the most numerous being those from the US Navy Navspasur system, and the most accurate those from the Hewitt cameras of the University of Aston sited at Herstmonceux and at Siding Spring in Australia. The average orbital accuracy achieved was about 70 m radial and 120 m cross-track. Analysis of the changes in inclination and eccentricity at resonance has yielded useful values for six lumped harmonics in the geopotential of order 31: the two lumped harmonics of even degree had an average accuracy equivalent to 1.5 cm in geoid height; the four of odd degree had accuracies between 2 and 7 cm. Keywords: Great Britain; Geopotential; Resonance; Satellite orbits; Orbit determination.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA188898
Entities
People
- A. N. Winterbottom
- Desmond King-Hele
- M. R. Suttie
Organizations
- Royal Aircraft Establishment