"Fat Earth Theory' - How Earth's Shape Changes Spacecraft Orbits

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Scott Manley

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Published on June 5, 2018 4:49:11 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCMSDvp-n74

Duration: 7:54

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A follow on the small effect of the oblateness of the earth is enough to make satellite orbits precess around the planet. And furthermore how this effect can be exploited for a special class of orbits called sun synchronous orbits.

Equations are borrowed from the wikipedia page on sun sychronous orbits.