Analysis of Orbital Elements and Atmospheric Activity to Ascertain Possible Presence of an Ion Propulsion Capability Aboard Salyut 7/Cosmos 1686
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze solar and geomagnetic activity in concert with orbital element data for the Soviet space station Salyut 7 as a means toward a determination of the possible use of an ion propulsion source aboard Salyut 7 and the Cosmos 1686 module to which it was docked. Solar activity was represented by sunspot number and 10.7-cm solar radio flux, and geomagnetic activity was represented by the general activity indices k sub p and A sub p. The effects of atmospheric activity were examined both by direct comparison with orbital data, and by using solar and geomagnetic data as inputs to an atmospheric density model. For cases where neither atmospheric activity nor known maneuvers could explain changes in an orbital parameter, the feasibility of an ion propulsion source being the cause was examined. Because the orbital element data sets were taken at inconsistent time intervals, direct comparison with the atmospheric data was difficult. However, despite this limitation, the analysis suggests that the use of ion propulsion was possible during the period 6 May to 25 June 1986.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA243654
Entities
People
- Kris R. Howard
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology