Prelaunch estimates of near Earth satellite lifetimes - application to a proposed Brazilian satellite.
Abstract
A method to make a rapid prelaunch estimate of near earth satellite lifetimes using small perturbation theory is presented. A quasi-dynamic atmospheric model is used by employing a different exospheric temperature every three months. The drag coefficient is calculated using kinetic theory. The method is validated by application to several known satellites and is then used for a proposed Brazilian satellite.
- Publication:
-
Journal of the Astronautical Sciences
- Pub Date:
- March 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983JAnSc..31..151V
- Keywords:
-
- Brazilian Space Program;
- Mission Planning;
- Preflight Analysis;
- Satellite Lifetime;
- Satellite Perturbation;
- Aerodynamic Coefficients;
- Atmospheric Density;
- Atmospheric Models;
- Atmospheric Temperature;
- Exosphere;
- Perturbation Theory;
- Satellite Drag;
- Astrodynamics;
- Artificial Satellites:Lifetimes