Journal of Aeronautics & Aerospace Engineering
Open Access

The effects of an induced electric dipole moment due to Earth’s electric field on the artificial satellites orbit

3^rd International Conference and Exhibition on Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

October 05-07, 2015 San Francisco, USA

Armando Heilmann

Federal University of Parana, Brazil

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Aeronaut Aerospace Eng

Abstract :

The orbits of artificial satellites are very sensitive to a large number of disturbances, whose effects add to the main force exerted by Earth�s gravitational field. The most important perturbations are caused by solar radiation pressure, the Moon�s and the Sun�s gravitational fields which were extensively discussed through the current literature, and must be taken into account in order to correct the orbital motion, preventing collision between satellites of close orbits. In this paper, we consider an additional effect producing acceleration on the satellite motion arising from an electric dipole moment induced by the high altitude Earth�s electric field in a metallic satellite of spherical shape. The order of magnitude of such effect is estimated to be in the range of 10�23 m/s2. It is emphasized that the Electric Dipole Moment Effect (EDME) is dependent on the satellite�s shape and geometry and proportional to E0v/r4. The Earth�s electric field E0 is largely influenced by atmospheric electromagnetic phenomena, such as whistler waves and thunderstorms.

Biography :