Modeling & Analysis of Environmental Orbit Perturbation and Budgeting Their Effect on Orbital Elements

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article

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Department of Aerospace Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of orbit perturbations on satellite translational dynamics, encompassing both major and minor forces. The former category includes atmospheric drag, Earth oblateness, solar radiation, and third-body attractions. Atmospheric drag is based on a solar activity model and its rotation due to meridional and zonal winds. Earth oblateness is considered over a high order of Earth gravity harmonics, along with direct solar radiation pressure and the effect of third-body attraction, such as the Moon and Sun gravity, utilizing high-accuracy ephemeris. Minor force effects include Earth's solid tides resulting from the Sun and Moon attraction, the effect of reflected solar radiation pressure from the Earth (Albedo), and relativity effects. The three primary theories employed to expand equations are perturbed potential function, force components, and acceleration. An investigative study was conducted to analyze the budget of perturbations in orbital elements at various altitudes. This approach is applicable to high orbit injection, orbit transfer using low electrical propulsion, and high-precision missions. The research underscores the significance of possessing a precise perturbed dynamic model, which facilitates high-revolution orbit transfer.

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AUT Journal of Mechanical Engineering

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 14 September 2025

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