Perturbations of the Orbit of the Echo Balloon.

The motion of the Project Echo communications satellite during its first 12 days clearly confirms previous predictions of the influence of solar radiation pressure. During this time, solar pressure reduced perigee height by 44 km. The approximate value of 1.

Effects of Solar Radiation Pressure on Earth Satellite Orbits.

Calculations show that, at a mean altitude of 1000 miles, radiation pressure can displace the orbit of the 100-foot Echo balloon at rates up to 3.7 miles per day, the orbit of the 12-foot Beacon satellite at 0.7 mile per day.