Orbital Perturbation Effect on LEO Satellite Trajectory

Abstract

A satellite, in its orbit, is affected by perturbing forces, such as atmospheric drag, solar radiation pressure, Earth oblateness, and gravity of the celestial masses (other than the Earth). In this paper, the effects of these forces on the trajectories of different types of LEO satellites and a sample satellite (Z-SAT) are discussed. A few analyses are done on these orbits and the relevant results are categorized as substantial logics of perturbation influences on Keplerian parameters of the orbits. The Variation of Parameters Method is used for analyses.