VARIATION OF LOCAL TIME OF ASCENDING NODE DUE TO THE ALTITUDE DECAY OF SUN-SYNCHRONOUS SATELLITE

Variation of the Local Time of Ascending Node (LTAN) has been analysed according to initial inclinations when the altitude of Sun-synchronous satellite is continuously decreased due to the atmospheric drag. Orbit predictions of 3 years have been performed with the satellite of 500 km altitude when the initial LTAN were set to 06:00, 09:00, 12:00, 15:00, and 18:00. Different profiles of the inclination and LTAN have been obtained according to the satellite altitude decay and initial LTAN value. Using the profiles of the inclination and LTAN, initial orbital elements can be derived for minimizing the LTAN variations during the mission life time of the sun-synchronous satellite without any on-board thrusters for orbit maneuvers.