Very low altitude drag-free satellites
Abstract
In 1972, the Triad satellite fully demonstrated the operability and practicality of the drag-free satellite subsystem called DISCOS (disturbance compensation system). This system provided control propulsion to precisely counteract the effects of drag and radiation pressure, resulting in a pure ballistic trajectory. The use of such a system has not been seriously contemplated at extremely low altitudes because of the very large propellant requirements. The advent of the space shuttle (which is ideally suited to launching extremely heavy satellites to a very low altitude orbit) makes the use of DISCOS in extremely low altitude orbits economically attractive. Such extremely low altitude orbits both for single satellites and a pair of satellites can be used for many applications and science missions.
- Publication:
-
NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N
- Pub Date:
- January 1979
- Bibcode:
- 1979STIN...7927224F
- Keywords:
-
- Low Altitude;
- Satellite Drag;
- Scientific Satellites;
- Spacecraft Trajectories;
- Aerodynamic Drag;
- Launch Vehicles;
- Radiation Pressure;
- Satellite Orbits;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles