The effect of atmospheric drag on position and velocity errors of orbiting spacecraft

摘要: A model, in closed form, of position and velocity changes due to atmospheric drag a spacecraft orbit about planetary body is presented, considering primarily the effects two-body force field. Calculations for both elliptical circular geometries indicate that simplifying assumptions analysis make theory more accurate (to less than 1 percent error) lengthier mappings, when effect becomes quite significant. The downtrack error demonstrates quadratic growth, while radial linear growth.