An Analysis of the Lifetimes of Large Elliptical Orbits of Space Debris

The lunisolar perturbation is the principal factor that causes variation in the orbit of a GTO (geosychronous transfer orbit) space debris. In the present article the analytical expression of the long-periodic term of the altitude of the GTO orbital perigee caused by the lunisolar perturbation is derived, and the basic characteristics of the variation of the perigee caused by the lunisolar perturbation are analyzed. A method of selecting a launch window that will help to improve the space debris situation is given, and its correctness is tested and verified through simulation calculation.