A Critical Assessment of Satellite Drag and Atmospheric Density Modeling

Abstract This paper examines atmospheric drag models and data usage involved with propagating near-Earth satellites. Many studies, and even some International standards try to promote one model over another, rather than identifying the behavior of the numerous parameters necessary to select the best model for a particular mission and application. We briefly summarize existing information, and quantify sources of uncertainty in satellite propagation resulting from several atmospheric models, or from the treatment of input data indices. The goal is for researchers to understand the relative impact of using different models and data indices so they can properly assess which model and data input to use.