The shadow function for artificial satellites

by

F. Mignard, D. Vokrouhlicky,P. Farinella


We consider the effect of the solar radiation force on geodetic satellites
during the transition from the full sunlight to the shadow of the Earth. A
full model of the atmospheric refraction is worked out to determine 
accurately the radiation field in the neighbourhood of the satellite. It
is then integrated on the satellite surface to assess the magnitude of the
radiation force. The eclipsing of the solar disk is very gradual and results
in an extended tail in the radiation force. The various phases of this
phenomena are illustrated on the satellite Lageos.