The orbit of Cosmos 268 rocket was determined at 28 epochs during its 342 day life, with the aid of the PROP5 orbit refinement program. All available observations were used, including 16 from the Hewitt camera at Malvern, 28 from the 200 mm camera at Meudon, 56 from the kinetheodolite at the Cape Observatory, 700 visual observations from volunteer observers, 500 US Navy observations, and 200 British radar observations. The orbits are of very good accuracy for a high drag satellite, most of the values of inclination having standard deviations less than 0.002 deg. The most accurate orbits are those utilizing photographic observations, and the best of these has standard deviations of 0.00001 in eccentricity and 0.0001 deg in inclination. The values of inclination obtained, after correction to allow for the effects of other perturbing forces, were analyzed to determine zonal wind speeds in the upper atmosphere at heights a little above perigee (230-250 km) averaged over latitudes up to about 25 deg. (Author)
Analysis of the Orbit Cosmos 268 Rocket (1969-20B)
1971
23 pages
Report
No indication
English
Analysis of the Orbit of Cosmos 268 Rocket (1969-20B)
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