EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Rubincam 1987
Rubincam, D.P. (1987). LAGEOS orbit decay due to infrared radiation from earth. Journal of Geophysical Research 92: doi: 10.1029/JB092iB02p01287. issn: 0148-0227.

Infrared radiation from the earth may be the principal reason for the decay of LAGEOS' orbit. The radiation heats up the laser retroreflectors embedded in LAGEOS' aluminum surface. This creates a north-south temperature gradient on the satellite. The gradient in turn causes a force to be exerted on LAGEOS because of recoil from photons leaving its surface. The delayed heating of the retroreflectors due to their thermal model for the retroreflectors indicates that this thermal drag accounts for at least half the observed average along-track acceleration of -3.33¿10-12 ms-2 and perhaps much more. The contribution from the aluminum surface to this effect is negligible. Thermal drag, which is a variant of the Yarkovsky effect, can explain some; but not all, of the observed fluctuations in drag. In view of these results, charged particle drag may not be as important as previously believed for LAGEOS. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1987

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit