The Influence of the Earth's Albedo on Low-orbit Satellite Motion

Abstract

Using the celestial mechanics program, this study investigates the effects of Albedo perturbations on low earth satellite motion at various inclinations. The results show that the parameter (eccentricity, Arg. of Perjee and mean anomaly) are affected by Albedo disturbance, while the remaining elements are not. The effects in the above elements decrease as the inclination increases for prograde orbits (ⅈ = 50, 300), but they become more impacted as the inclination increases for retrograde orbits (ⅈ = 970, 1560). For LEO satellites, the geocentric, equatorial coordinates (x, y, z) do not vary. The perturbation effects on acceleration in three directions are computed, the results show that the out of the plane acceleration component is the only one that varies.