The trajectory of the lowest flying earth satellite, DAS, was analyzed by the step-by-step integration procedure of nonlinear differential equations of satellite motion assuming the modified Jacchia atmospheric model and the drag coefficient of a sphere in a rarefied hypersonic flow. The purpose of the DAS flying at the very low altitude around 100 km is to explore the bottomside of the ionosphere. Because of low deceleration caused by drag above 100 km altitude, only a small acceleration by an on-board propulsion system is required to defeat drag and restore elliptic orbit decay. The two cases of impulsive thrust and powered flight at constant thrust are discussed.
Preliminary Trajectory Analysis for the Lowest-Flying Earth Satellite, DAS
1977
44 pages
Report
No indication
English