Enforcing artificial frozen orbit

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on formulating a constellation of two satellites with identical orbital parameters but differing altitudes, specifically addressing the delta-v requirements to maintain aligned perigees during orbit evolution. The context includes theoretical considerations of orbital mechanics and satellite constellation design.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to understand how to maintain aligned perigees for two satellites with very small eccentricities and slightly different altitudes, asking for delta-v requirements.
  • Another participant notes that the delta-v requirements will be influenced by the gravitational pull of the Earth.
  • A participant expresses confusion over the term "frozen" orbits, questioning the significance of perigee alignment if the eccentricity is very small.
  • A later reply clarifies that RAAN precession is not typically considered in frozen orbits, emphasizing the importance of perigee alignment in constellations with small altitude separations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the importance of perigee alignment and the definition of frozen orbits, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the specific orbital mechanics involved, particularly concerning the effects of gravitational influences and the definitions of frozen orbits in this context.

a_potato
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Hello,
I'm interested in how to formulate a simple constellation in which there are two satellites with identical orbital parameters (eccentricity <0.003, same inclination and aligned arg. Perigee, same RAAN) but which have different altitudes (e.g. Semi major axis) which are around 1000km and offset by a small amount, say 50km.

As the orbits propagate, the arg perigees will precess at different rates. My question is how can I determine delta-v requirements to keep the perigee aligned during orbit evolution (ignoring RAAN precession) and therefore keeping a frozen configuration. Any thoughts welcome.
 
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a_potato said:
... (e.g. Semi major axis) which are around 1000km...

Earth has a mean radius of 6,371.0 km. The delta-v requirements will be effected by the gravitational pull of the thing your satellites orbit.
 
I'm a bit confused why you would call the orbits frozen if their RAAN diverge over time. Why would the perigee be so important if you require the eccentricity to be very small anyway?
 
mfb- RAAN is not normally considered in a frozen orbit as it must always precess relative to something (e.g. a sun-sync orbit processes relative to an inertial system). Perigee is important in constellations with small altitude separations between orbit planes, such that the apogee of one is higher than the perigee of the next one
 

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