Theory of Geostationary SatellitesGeostationary or equatorial synchronous satellites are a daily reminder of our space efforts during the past two decades. The nightly television satellite weather picture, the intercontinental telecommunications of television transmissions and telephone conversations, and the establishrnent of educational programs in remote regions on Earth are constant reminders of the presence of these satellites. As used here, the term 'geo stationary' must be taken loosely because, in the long run, the satellites will not remain 'stationary' with respect to an Earth-fixed reference frame. This results from the fact that these satellites, as is true for all satellites, are incessantly subject to perturbations other than the central-body attraction of the Earth. Among the more predominant pertur bations are: the ellipticity of the Earth's equator, the Sun and Moon, and solar radiation pressure. Higher harmonics of the Earth's potential and tidal effects also influence satellite motion, but they are of second order when compared to the predominant perturbations. This volume deals with the theory of geostationary satellites. It consists of seven chapters. Chapter 1 provides a general discussion including a brief history of geostationary satellites and their practical applications. Chapter 2 describes the Earth's gravitational potential field and the methodology of solving the geostationary satellite problem. Chapter 3 treats the effect of Earth's equatorial ellipticity (triaxiality) on a geostationary satellite. Chapter 4 deals with the effects of the Sun and Moo~ on the satellite's motion while Chapter 5 presents the combined influences of the Sun, Moon and solar radiation pressure. |
Contents
CHAPTER | 1 |
CHAPTER | 2 |
vii | 20 |
THE EARTHS GRAVITATIONAL FIELD AND BASIC METHODOLOGY | 25 |
Bibliography | 81 |
Bibliography | 142 |
References | 144 |
CHAPTER 4 | 158 |
Bibliography | 166 |
Bibliography | 204 |
References | 224 |
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Common terms and phrases
AIAA analytical angular argument of perigee ascending node Astronautics & Aeronautics Celestial Mechanics circular orbit communications satellite Communications Satellite System computed cos² cos³ Delaunay delta-V derived differential equations disturbing function drift rate Earth oblateness Earth's equator eccentricity eclipse ecliptic plane effects ellipticity equations of motion equatorial plane expressions first-order solution geostationary orbit geostationary satellite gravitational impulse inclination initial INTELSAT K₁ Kozai launched libration long-period longitude low thrust M₂ method of solution minor axis Moon's orbit near-equatorial numerical integration obtained orbit maneuver orbital elements orbital plane osculating orbit parameters perturbing forces potential power-flight problem radius respectively rotation Satcom satel satellite orbit semilatus rectum semimajor axis sin² sin³ solar radiation pressure spherical station-keeping Sun and Moon synchronous satellite telecommunications television terms containing trajectory transponders triaxial variables vector velocity Voshkov'yak w₁ X₁ Zeipel method zeroth-order кем
