Motion of a satellite in the earth’s gravitational field

Abstract

The equations of motion of a satellite are given in a general form, account being taken of the precession and nutation of the earth. The main part of the paper deals with the motion arising from the gravitational field of the earth, expressed as a general expansion in spherical harmonics. By evaluating the partial derivatives in Lagrange’s planetary equations, • expressions are obtained for the rates of change of the orbital elements. Particular consideration is given to the form of the expressions for the secular terms arising from the first four zonal harmonics.