The Dynamic Model of Prop, a Computer Program for the Refinement of the Orbital Parameters of an Earth Satellite

摘要

PROP is the code-name for a new orbit determination program written in FORTRAN for an ATLAS computer. With certain minor modifications the program can also handle certain tracking network assessment problems and prediction problems. PROP is similar, in many respects, to the D.O.I. program of the Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical Observatory, which is based on the theory of Kozai. PROP, however, is capable of handling not only range and angle observations but also observations of range rate and angle rate, so that virtually all current types of ground-based satellite observations can be analysed. The paper is concerned mainly with extensions and modifications of Kozai's theory in respect of perturbations due to the gravity field of the earth. In particular, the long-periodic perturbation of the mean anomaly is derived, and compact formulae for perturbations due to zonal harmonics up to any order are presented in a form suitable for computation. Particular attention is paid to the removal of singularities at e approx. = O, i approx. = O and to the pseudo-resonance at i approx. = 63 deg. 4 min. (Author)