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Accession Number:
AD0626278
Title:
ON THE PREDICTION OF SATELLITE ORBIT DECAY AND IMPACT,
Descriptive Note:
Corporate Author:
RAND CORP SANTA MONICA CALIF
Report Date:
1965-10-01
Pagination or Media Count:
46.0
Abstract:
Presentation of problems associated with predicting satellite orbit decay plus a description of several computer programs for computing long-term orbit decay, model atmospheres, and final decay and re-entry. Computation of long-term orbit decay using the RAND Satellite Lifetime Program is illustrated for Explorer 9, and the orbit-decay data from the satellite are used to derive a current model atmosphere different from any standard atmospheres and permitting, in subsequent decay computations, a good long-term prediction capability. Computation of final orbit decay with both the Satellite Lifetime Program and the RAND ROCKET Program is then illustrated for the case of Cosmos 5 in this case adjustment of the satellites ballistic coefficient is used to adjust effectively a model atmosphere to simulate the current atmosphere. Author
Distribution Statement:
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE