Some Results Taken from Observations of the First Russian Earth Satellites

摘要

The appearance of the first artificial satellites was not significant only as the first step in the direction of eventual rocket or space flight. The main purpose for them insofar as the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958 was concerned, was for the research of the outermost layers of the earth's atmosphere and the adjacent interplanetary space. The observations of the first satellites, which were made in Germany, permit us to arrive at some conclusions concerning the above goal. A review of the orbit elements shows some agreement concerning the state of the upper atmosphere which may be deduced from some observations of orbit changes as well as of radio signals. (Author)