Duration of a satellite in terrestrial orbit

Javier Susaeta (javier.susaeta@nexo.es)
Sat, 26 Jul 1997 09:56:46 +0200

 Does a mathematical expression exist that puts the duration of a satellite
in terrestrial orbit as a function of both major and minor axis, solar
activity (measured in mean sunspot numbers, perhaps), global density of the
satellite (to account for extreme cases such as the Echo balloons)...?

 If there isn't, I would like to derive an approximate interpolation
polynomial of several variables; at least four, but perhaps as much as six
or seven.
In that case, I would need a database of decayed satellites and thus build
the polynomial. 

 Please advise

 Regards and thanks in advance

Javier Susaeta
<javier.susaeta@nexo.es>