Orbital Perturbations

Orbital perturbations can be caused by gravitational forces from other celestial bodies, atmospheric drag, and solar radiation pressure.

The Sun's gravitational force is the dominant influence on Earth's orbit.

Atmospheric drag causes a satellite to lose altitude due to friction with the Earth's atmosphere.

Solar radiation pressure causes a satellite to gain altitude due to the transfer of momentum from photons.

Orbital precession refers to the gradual change in a satellite's orbital elements, such as its argument of perigee or longitude of ascending node, over time.

Orbital resonance occurs when the orbital periods of two or more celestial bodies are related by a simple ratio, leading to synchronized or resonant orbits.

Orbital decay refers to the gradual decrease in a satellite's orbital altitude due to atmospheric drag or other dissipative forces.

Orbital inclination refers to the angle between a satellite's orbital plane and the Earth's equatorial plane.

The gravitational torque exerted by the Moon on Earth's equatorial bulge is primarily responsible for the precession of Earth's equinoxes.

The gravitational torque exerted by the Sun on Earth's orbit is primarily responsible for the variation in Earth's orbital eccentricity.

The gravitational torque exerted by the Moon on Earth's orbit is primarily responsible for the variation in Earth's orbital inclination.

The gravitational torque exerted by the Sun on Earth's orbit is primarily responsible for the variation in Earth's orbital longitude of perihelion.

The gravitational torque exerted by the Moon on Earth's orbit is primarily responsible for the variation in Earth's orbital argument of perihelion.

The gravitational torque exerted by the Sun on Earth's orbit is primarily responsible for the variation in Earth's orbital mean anomaly.

The gravitational torque exerted by the Moon on Earth's orbit is primarily responsible for the variation in Earth's orbital true anomaly.