Change of a Satellite Orbit Altitude by Solar Pressure.
Abstract:
The opportunity of increase of a satellite orbit altitude by solar pressure is investigated. The satellite is equipped with mirrors and a damper. Its flight is free drift in the gravity gradient mode - the satellite longitudinal axis is permanently directed along the local vertical. The motion about that axis is steady-state oscillations caused by solar pressures and damping. The mirror positions and the initial satellite heliosynchronous orbit are so, that the transverse component of solar pressure force is positive, and the orbit semimajor axis is permanently increased. That increase takes place for the first 15 years. In fact the semimajor axis has slow oscillations with the period about 60 years. The orbit eccentricity and inclination remain close to their initial values.
