Accession Number:

AD0776022

Title:

Doubly Averaged Effect of the Moon and Sun on a High Altitude Earth Satellite Orbit

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH LEXINGTON LEXINGTON United States

Personal Author(s):

• Ash,Michael E.

Report Date:

1974-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

108.0

Abstract:

The secular effect of the moon or sun on a high altitude earth satellite orbit is approximated by spreading the moon or sun into a circular ring of matter and averaging over one orbit of the satellite. Calculations are performed to first order in eccentricity for satellite radii inside and outside the lunar radius. The secular variations in semi-major axis and inclination to the ring plane are zero and those of the other orbital elements are given by infinite series.

Descriptors:

• High earth orbits
• Perturbations
• Sun
• Moon
• Equations of motion
• Partial differential equations
• Numerical integration
• Spacecraft trajectories

Subject Categories:

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE