How to Minimize Orbital Perturbation Effects

Perturbation is the astronomical term used to describe how the gravity of two or more massive bodies affect one another's orbit. Since many planets experience the pull and push of more than one gravitational force, their orbits are elliptical. Without these forces acting on celestial bodies and satellites, the orbits would be circular. Solar radiation pressure, atmospheric drag and magnetic fields cause perturbation forces that heavily impact an object's orbit.

Instructions

    • 1

      Calculate all possible perturbations beforehand using the solutions to two-body and three-body problems. After the calculations are complete, launch the satellite. Adjust the satellite's position as necessary.

    • 2

      Launch the satellite into a higher orbit. Keep the satellite around 800 kilometers from the Earth's surface. At that distance, there is an equilibrium between atmospheric drag and solar radiation.

    • 3

      Avoid launching the satellite into an orbit with a high level of magnetic interference. The magnetic field causes eddy currents, which produce heat in the satellite's shell. Instead, plot a course around the Earth that has minimum magnetic disturbances.

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