Aspects analytiques du problème des perturbations d'un satellite artificiel

Abstract

The author describes the effects of non-gravitational origin (chiefly atmospheric drag and radiation pressure). It seems possible, however, to generalize the von Zeipel method to include these effects. Although the solution attained no longer has the characteristics of a general theory in the sense of classic celestial mechanics, one can nevertheless make parallel calculations and obtain formal solutions. The problem of the convergence of the series obtained remains unsolved. In conclusion, it seems that one can now consider the principal problem of the movement of a satellite around a non-spherical planet as having been satisfactorily solved. The family of orbits thus obtained could be considered as a family of intermediate orbits, each orbit having the characteristics of its mean elements. The effects of forces of different origins would have to be calculated on the basis of these intermediate orbits and it would be advantageous to concentrate efforts on the perturbations undergone by these orbits. © 1961.