What usually causes satellites to deviate over time from their kepplarian elements?
by 
ChaiCustard
ANSWERS: 2
-
The moon's gravitation force might play a role as the satellites get nearest them and the accumulation of gravitational tugs throughout many years will have made somewhat of an impact on the orbit of the satellite. This is just conjecture on my part. How about tiny meteorites colliding with it over the course of time too? Hi Keppler, happy birthday whenever it is but you mean the world to me.
-
Orbital decay is the process of prolonged reduction in the height of a satellite's orbit...This can be due to drag produced by an atmosphere due to frequent collisions between the satellite and surrounding air molecules. The drag experienced by the object is larger in the case of increased solar activity, because it heats and expands the upper atmosphere. For larger bodies tidal effects can cause orbital decay, and for even larger ones gravitational radiation can have an effect. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_decay
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC