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The Relative Motion of Earth Orbiting Satellites

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Abstract

Relative motion of objects moving in a close satellite formation is studied. The relative motion is expressed in the satellite reference frame R Λ B defined by orthogonal unit vectors in the radial, transverse and normal directions. Differential perturbations in orbital elements, satellite positions as well as in the radial, transverse and normal components of the radius vector are defined. Differential perturbations due to geopotential coefficients and luni-solar attraction are analysed for some exemplary satellites orbits. Results of a numerical analysis of motion have shown that the geopotential coefficients up to high degree and order as well as lunisolar effects have to be included into the applied force model to save the meter or centimeter level of accuracy in the description of the relative satellite motion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. A. Mickiewicz University, Astronomical Observatory, Sloneczna 36, PL, 60-286, Poznan, Poland

    Edwin Wnuk & Justyna Golebiewska

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  1. Edwin Wnuk
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  2. Justyna Golebiewska
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Correspondence to Justyna Golebiewska.

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Wnuk, E., Golebiewska, J. The Relative Motion of Earth Orbiting Satellites. Celestial Mech Dyn Astr 91, 373–389 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10569-004-4265-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10569-004-4265-0

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