Cover: On the Predication of Satellite Orbit Decay and Impact
Read Online

On the Predication of Satellite Orbit Decay and Impact

by Carl Gazley, Louis N. Rowell, G. F. Schilling

Download

Download eBook for Free

FormatFile SizeNotes
PDF file 1.2 MB

Use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 10 or higher for the best experience.

Purchase

Purchase Print Copy

 FormatList Price Price
Add to Cart Paperback49 pages $23.00 $18.40 20% Web Discount

Presentation of problems associated with predicting satellite orbit decay plus a description of several programs for computing long-term orbit decay, model atmospheres, and final decay and reentry. 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 satellite's ballistic coefficient is used to effectively adjust a model atmosphere to simulate the current atmosphere. (See also RM-3700, RM-4007, RM-4204.)

This report is part of the RAND Corporation Research memorandum series. The Research Memorandum was a product of the RAND Corporation from 1948 to 1973 that represented working papers meant to report current results of RAND research to appropriate audiences.

This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.

The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.