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Radial, transverse and normal satellite position perturbations due to the geopotential

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Abstract

Perturbations in the position of a satellite due to the Earth's gravitational effects are presented. The perturbations are given in the radial, transverse (or alongtrack) and normal (or cross-track) components. The solution is obtained by projecting the Kepler element perturbations obtained by Kaula [Kaula, 1966] into each of the three components. The resulting perturbations are presented in a form analogous to the form of Kaula's solution which facilitates implementation and interpretation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado

    G. W. Rosborough

  2. Center for Space Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas

    B. D. Tapley

Authors
  1. G. W. Rosborough
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  2. B. D. Tapley
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Rosborough, G.W., Tapley, B.D. Radial, transverse and normal satellite position perturbations due to the geopotential. Celestial Mechanics 40, 409–421 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01235855

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01235855

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