The Influence of the Solar Radiation Pressure on the Motion of an Artificial Satellite

[摘要] This article reports an investigation of the effect of solar radiation pressure on the motion of an artificial satellite. The theory has been applied to the orbit of the Vanguard I satellite, and is found to produce significant perturbations in the perigee height of that satellite. In the case of a satellite with a large ratio of area to mass the major terms introduced by solar radiation pressure can reduce the perigee distance at the rate of 1 to 2 km per day, so that the lifetime of the satellite will become considerably shorter than it would be without this effect.

[发布日期] 1960-05-01