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Ground traces of artificial earth satellites

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Abstract

This paper considers the ground trace of an artificial earth satellite. It determines the effects of the trace caused by perturbations due to atmospheric drag, the oblateness of the earth, and the moon and the sun as a third body.

The necessary mathematical relations giving these perturbations which are available in literature are utilized (Betz, 1967; Brouwer and Clemence, 1961; Brouwer and Hori, 1961; Danby, 1962; Escobal, 1965; Kentet al., 1963; Kozai, 1962). Those relations unavailable elsewhere are derived.

The computation was done by programming in FORTRAN language and utilizing an IBM 360/65.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA

    Jack T. Kent (Associate Professor of Mathematics)

Authors
  1. Jack T. Kent
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  2. Harry R. Betz
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Captain, USAF

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Kent, J.T., Betz, H.R. Ground traces of artificial earth satellites. Celestial Mechanics 1, 91–109 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01230635

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01230635

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