Wednesday, November 9, 2016

What is the effect of atmospheric drag on LEO satellites ?

For Low Earth orbiting satellites, the effect of atmospheric drag is more pronounces. The impact of this drag is maximum at the point of perigee. Drag (pull towards the Earth) has an effect on velocity of Satellite (velocity reduces).

This causes the satellite to not reach the apogee height successive revolutions. This leads to a change in value of semi-major axis and eccentricity. Satellites in service are maneuvered by the earth station back to their original orbital position.

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