Comparison of SRP Effect on LEO and GEO Satellite
Nindhita Pratiwi (a,b*), Dhani Herdiwijaya (a), Taufiq Hidayat (a), Muhammad Isnaenda Ikhsan (a,b)

a) Department of Astronomy, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia
b) Atmospheric and Planetary Science Study Program, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Lampung Selatan, Indonesia

Abstract

Solar Radiation Pressure (SRP) is one of the main perturbations that needs to be considered in calculation orbit of satellite precisely. SRP describes the interaction between solar radiation flux and the surface of satellite. SRP is also known as one of the most important non-gravitational force acting on LEO satellites. SRP also influences GEO satellite orbits in semi-major axis and eccentricity variations. This research looks into Telkom-1 and LAPAN A1 satellites, Indonesia^s satellites located in GEO and LEO orbit. Calculation of solar radiation pressure on satellites need data of solar flux, satellite^s geometry, and solar geocentric vectors. Data processing uses Free Flyer and Python. We have compared SRP effect on LEO and GEO satellites. The distance between the two satellites is also increasing, showing that there are some effects of solar radiation pressure. Within a month, the distance between satellites increases up to 7.5 kilometers. Within a year, the maximum value of the distance between satellites is 30 kilometers.

Keywords: solar radiation pressure, satellite, orbital parameter, LEO, GEO

Topic: Earth and Planetary Sciences