Long-term evolution of the KOMPSAT-1 orbit

A long-term orbital evolution of the KOrea Multi-Purpose SATellite-1 (KOMPSAT-1) is monitored and analyzed in this paper. Four years of the orbital evolution is composed of four phases in terms of the operational states of the satellite. Orbit determination results using GPS navigation solutions from on-board the satellite are used for converting the osculating orbit into the mean orbit. Variation of the mean altitude by the orbit maneuvers and safe-hold mode operation is analyzed. Decay of the mean altitude by the natural atmospheric drag is monitored with the solar flux variation. Variation of the mean inclination is analyzed in terms of the shift of the local time of ascending node crossing. The evolution from near frozen orbit is monitored and analyzed in a phase plot of the mean argument of perigee and mean eccentricity.