Abstract
The general theory of the method of averaging is used to study the effect of the oblateness of the earth on the motion of an artificial satellite. The first-order harmonic J2 and the second-order harmonics J3 and J4 are included in the analysis. The first-order, periodic variations together with the second-order, averaged and secular variations are derived for all the six orbital elements. Alternative orbital elements and necessary relations are introduced to deal with circular orbits, orbits at critical inclination and equatorial orbits. Essential transformations and initialization procedures are also outlined.
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