Satellite Motion in an Axi-Symmetric Gravitational Field. Part 2. Perturbations due to an Arbitrary J sub l
Abstract
This Report continues the presentation of the untruncated orbital theory begun in Technical Report 88068. The effects of the general zonal harmonic, J sub l, are now covered, the main results being a trio of formulae are only first-order in J sub l, but, in conjunction with the second-order results for J2 published in Part 1, the complete set of formulae may be regarded as constituting a second-order theory, the Earth's J2 being much larger than J sub l for sub l > 2. The mean elements of the theory are defined in such a way that, foe each J sub l, the coordinate-perturbation formulae have their simplest possible form, with no occurrence of zero denominators. The general formulae are used in a rederivation of the results for J3, given in Part 1, and in a derivation of results for J4. Numerical comparisons with reference orbits are held over to a later report (Part 3). Keywords: Astrodynamics; Orbital elements; Satellite perturbations; Celestial mechanics; Orbit calculations; Zonal harmonics; Geopotential; Orbit perturbation; Great Britain; Gravitational effects; Satellite orbits.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA214530
Entities
People
- Robert H. Gooding
Organizations
- Royal Aircraft Establishment