Authors:Alyamovski S.N., Belyaev M.Yu., Rulev D.N., Sazonov V. V.
Refinement of the geomagnetic perturbation index by processing orbit measurements of a test satellite
Abstract:
We describe the refinement of the geomagnetic perturbation index Kp by processing radio tracking data of the orbital motion of a simplest test satellite. A test satellite has the shape of a sphere and a constant ballistic coefficient. Approximation of its orbital data by solutions of quite accurate motion equations allows specifying the index Kp in the atmospheric density model used to calculate the satellite aerodynamic drag. We demonstrate this approach by processing the data of the satellite Sphere launched from the ISS in August 2012. Orbit measurements were performed by the Russian means of passive radar system several times a day. For checking we also used orbital data generated by the two-line elements of the orbit of this satellite. Clarification of the approach is also confirmed by the results of statistical modeling.
Keywords:
test satellite, model of the atmosphere density, geomagnetic perturbation index, orbit measurements, measurement processing
