ERS-1 - An earth observer that exactly follows its chosen path
Abstract
The high-accuracy orbit design and control of the first Europe's earth-observation satellite are described. The ground track of ERS-1 was kept within a control deadband of +/- 1 km since the spacecraft's launch. To achieve this, orbit maintenance maneuvers to compensate for the air drag were performed every 1-3 weeks. Daily monitoring of the orbit-determination results is considered to be necessary to implement orbit maneuvers at rather short notice.
- Publication:
-
ESA Bulletin
- Pub Date:
- November 1992
- Bibcode:
- 1992ESABu..72...76R
- Keywords:
-
- Ers-1 (Esa Satellite);
- Orbital Maneuvers;
- Polar Orbits;
- Precession;
- Satellite Drag;
- Satellite Perturbation;
- Astrodynamics