Upper-atmosphere zonal winds from satellite orbit analysis: An update

A solution is obtained for the rate of change of semi-major axis and perigee distance of a satellite orbit with time due to the resistance of the atmosphere. The logarithm of air density is assumed to vary quadratically with height, and the oblateness of the atmosphere is taken into account. The calculation of perigee air density in terms of the rate of change of satellite period is dealt with; and the method is applied to data at present available on six different satellites. The variation of air density with height is obtained as ln ρ = -28·59(±0·15) - ( h - 200 )/46(±5) + 0·028(±0·013) ( h - 200) 2 /(46) 2 for h in the range of approximately 170 to 700 km, where ρ is in grams/cm 3 , h is in kilometres and standard deviations are given in brackets.

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The determination of the gas-surface interaction from satellite orbit analysis as applied to ANS-1 (1975-70A)

Planetary and Space Science ◽

10.1016/0032-0633(91)90067-k ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 39 (5) ◽

pp. 729-736 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

R. Crowther ◽

J. Stark

Keyword(s):

Satellite Orbit ◽

Surface Interaction ◽

Orbit Analysis

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Upper-atmosphere zonal winds determined from orbital analysis of Cosmos 482, 1972-23A

Planetary and Space Science ◽

10.1016/0032-0633(81)90064-7 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 29 (5) ◽

pp. 495-504 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

P. Moore

Keyword(s):

Upper Atmosphere ◽

Zonal Winds ◽

Orbital Analysis

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Upper Atmosphere Zonal Winds

Nature ◽

10.1038/237451a0 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 237 (5356) ◽

pp. 451-452 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

D. G. KING-HELE

Keyword(s):

Upper Atmosphere ◽

Zonal Winds

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The effect of a meridional wind on a satellite orbit

Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series A - Mathematical and Physical Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspa.1966.0206 ◽

1966 ◽

Vol 294 (1438) ◽

pp. 261-272 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Keyword(s):

Aerodynamic Force ◽

Satellite Orbit ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Meridional Wind ◽

Upper Atmosphere ◽

Orbital Inclination ◽

Meridional Motion ◽

The Right ◽

Right Ascension ◽

Direction Opposite

In this paper theoretical formulae are derived which show the effect of a meridional (south to north) wind on a satellite orbit of eccentricity less than 0.2. The aerodynamic force acting on the satellite, which is normally important only over a small section of the orbit near perigee, is assumed to be in the direction opposite to the satellite’s motion relative to the ambient air, so that meridional motion of the upper atmosphere slightly alters the direction of the drag. The resulting changes in the satellite’s orbital inclination and the right ascension of the node are evaluated. For a satellite whose perigee remains near the equator, a consistent meridional wind of 100 m/s in the vicinity of perigee can change the orbital inclination by 0.02° as the orbital period decreases by 10 min ; but when perigee moves widely, the effect is generally much smaller.

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