A discussion on orbital analysis - Preface

Soon after the first artificial satellites were launched in 1957, it became clear that their orbits were being recognizably altered by air drag and the non-spherical components of the Earth’s gravitational field. By analysing these changes in satellite orbits it has been possible to measure the Earth’s gravitational field and the density and temperature of the upper atmosphere in far greater detail and much more accurately than was ever possible before. At the end of 1965 the British National Committee for Space Research, under the chairmanship of Sir Harrie Massey, F.R.S., decided that a two-day international meeting should be held to discuss the techniques of orbital analysis. The meeting took place in the rooms of the Royal Society at Burlington House, London, on 17 and 18 October 1966, and was attended by over 100 participants from several countries. The papers presented at the meeting are collected in this volume