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Precision propagation and orbit decay predication of low earth orbit satellites
Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2003.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | en_ZA |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2012
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| _version_ | 1867613901567295488 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Opperman, B. D. L. |
| author2 | Milne, G. W. |
| author_browse | Milne, G. W. Opperman, B. D. L. |
| author_facet | Milne, G. W. Opperman, B. D. L. |
| author_sort | Opperman, B. D. L. |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/53555 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | en_ZA |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:43:30.888Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2012 |
| publishDateRange | 2012 |
| publishDateSort | 2012 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/53555 Precision propagation and orbit decay predication of low earth orbit satellites Opperman, B. D. L. Milne, G. W. Bredenkamp, B. V. Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Artificial satellites -- Orbits Dissertations -- Electronic engineering Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the theory of precision satellite orbit propagation and satellite lifetime prediction and lead to the development of two necessary software tools for analysis in these fields. Precision propagation was achieved through the implementation of Cowell's method of special perturbations, considering perturbations due to a 70x70 asymmetrical gravity field, atmospheric drag, Luni-Solar attraction and Solar radiation pressure. The satellite's perturbed equations of motion were integrated utilizing a seveneighth order Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg numerical integration procedure, limiting error propagation by employing adaptive step size control. The MSlS-90 atmospheric density model, providing for diurnal and semi-annual variations, was employed to determine atmospheric density. Care was taken in the precision modelling of the motion of the 12000 equator and equinox. Propagation results for this test case proved to be superior to the SGP4 propagator and a commercial package. The long-term effects of Earth oblateness and atmospheric drag on a satellite's orbital elements were investigated and applied to the orbit decay prediction problem. Orbit decay was predicted by integrating the rates of change of the orbital elements due to Earth oblateness and atmospheric drag. A semi-analytical technique involving Runge-Kutta and Gauss-Legendre quadrature was employed in the solution process. Relevant software was developed to implement the decay theory. Optimum drag coefficients, estimated from drag analysis using precision propagation, were used in decay prediction. Two test cases of observed decayed satellites were used to evaluate the theory. Results for both test cases indicated that the theory fitted observational data well within acceptable limits. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Ondersoek is gedoen oor die teorie van presiesie satelliet-wentelbaan vooruitskatting en satelliet-wentelbaanleeftyd afskatting en het gelei tot die ontwikkeling van twee analiseprogramme vir gebruik in hierdie vakgebiede. Presiesie vooruitskatting is bereik deur die gebruik van Cowell se metode van spesiale perturbasies, wat die invloed van 'n nie-simmetriese 70x070 gravitasieveld, atmosferiese sleur, Son-Maan aantrekkingskragte en druk van sonradiasie, in ag neem. Die satelliet se versteurde bewegingsvergelykings is numeries ge-ïntegreer deur gebruik te maak van die sewe-agste orde Runge-Kutta- Fehlberg metode wat fout-voortplanting inhibeer deur gebruik te maak van 'n aanpasbare integrasiestaplengte. Die MSIS-90 atmosferies model, wat voorsiening maak vir dag-nag en half-jaarlikse atmosferiese variasies, is gebruik vir die berekening van atmosferiese digtheid. Sorg is gedra by die presiesie modellering van die beweging van die J2000 ekwator en ekwinokse. Resultate vir hierdie toetsgeval toon meer voortreflik te wees as die SPG4 - en 'n kommersieël-beskikbare vooruitskatter. Die langtermyn effekte van aard-afplatting en atmosferiese sleur op wentelbaanleeftyd is ondersoek en toegepas op die wentelbaanverval-afskattingsprobleem. Wentelbaanverval is bereken deur die integrasie van die tydsafgeleides van die wentelbaanelement onder invloed van aard-afplatting en atmosferiese sleur. Vir die doel is 'n semi-analitiese tegniek, wat gebruik maak van Gauss-Legendre kwadratuur en Runge-Kutta numeriese integrasie, gebruik gemaak. Nodige rekenaar programmatuur is ontwi kkeI om die vervalteorie te implimenteer. Optimale sleur-koëffisiënte is afgeskat deur van presiesie wentelbaananalise gebruik te maak. Twee gevallestudies van bekende vervalde satelliete is gebruik om die vervalteorie te evalueer. Resultate vir beide gevallestudies toon aan dat eksperimentele resultate werklike vervaltye binne aanvaarbare limiete navolg. 2012-08-27T11:35:31Z 2012-08-27T11:35:31Z 2003-12 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/53555 en_ZA Stellenbosch University 1 v. application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Artificial satellites -- Orbits Dissertations -- Electronic engineering Opperman, B. D. L. Precision propagation and orbit decay predication of low earth orbit satellites |
| title | Precision propagation and orbit decay predication of low earth orbit satellites |
| title_full | Precision propagation and orbit decay predication of low earth orbit satellites |
| title_fullStr | Precision propagation and orbit decay predication of low earth orbit satellites |
| title_full_unstemmed | Precision propagation and orbit decay predication of low earth orbit satellites |
| title_short | Precision propagation and orbit decay predication of low earth orbit satellites |
| title_sort | precision propagation and orbit decay predication of low earth orbit satellites |
| topic | Artificial satellites -- Orbits Dissertations -- Electronic engineering |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/53555 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT oppermanbdl precisionpropagationandorbitdecaypredicationoflowearthorbitsatellites |