ANISOTROPIC REFLECTION EFFECT ON SATELLITE, AJISAI

A model for the anisotropic reflection force acting on Ajisai is prese nted which includes the variable reflectivity coefficient and the forc e in the direction perpendicular to the incident light. This model sig nificantly reduces the along-track orbit errors of Ajisai and smoothes the spike-like variation in the estimated drag coefficients from anal ysis of Ajisai laser ranging data. The model produces 17% smaller rang e residual RMS values in a one-year are analysis of 1993 data, and a s maller residual RMS for a short-are analysis in mid-year, the period f rom May to August, 1993.