Perturbations in the inclination of the Geos 1 and Geos 2 satellite orbits have been analyzed for the solid earth and ocean tide contributions. Precision reduced camera and Tranet Doppler observations spanning periods of over 600 days for each satellite were used to derive mean orbital elements. Perturbations due to the earth's gravity field, solar radiation pressure, and atmospheric drag were modeled, and the resulting inclination residuals were analyzed for tidal effects. The amplitudes of the observed total tidal effects were about 1.2 arc sec (36 m) in the inclination of Geos 1 and 4.5 arc sec (135 m) for Geos 2. The solid earth tides were then modeled by using the value for the k2 Love number of 0.30. The resulting inclination residuals were then analyzed for K1, S2, and P1 ocean tide spherical harmonic parameters. Since these ocean tidal constituents produce satellite orbtial perturbations with distinctly different periods (ranging from 55 to 630 days), good separation of the constituent effects was possible. After the solution for these parameters, the inclination rms residuals were of the order of 0.1 arc sec (about 3 m). |