Lumped Geopotential Coefficients (C Bar Sub 15,15) and (S Bar Sub 15,15) Obtained from Resonant Variation in the Orbit of Ariel 3.

摘要

The orbital inclination of the satellite Ariel 3unexpectedly decreased early in 1968. This decrease may now be explained as the consequence of a 15th-order resonance with the earth's gravitational field. Analysis of the resonance leads to a derivation of 'lumped'values of the harmonic coefficients C bar sub(15,15) and S bar sub(15,15) appropriate to the inclination (80degrees) and height (500km) of Ariel 3,viz. (-19.9plus or minus 1.2) x 10to the minus 9th power and (-7.7plus or minus 0.8) x 10to the minus 9th power respectively. The steady residual decrease in inclination indicates that the average rotational speed of the upper atmosphere at a height of 500km is only 0.7times that of the earth. (Author)