Special Features of Long-Term Orbital Evolution of Etalon-1 and Etalon-2 Satellites

Results of analysis of the orbital evolution of Etalon-1 and Etalon-2 artificial satellites during a 500-year period are presented. It is demonstrated that the stable Lidov-Kozai resonance acts on the satellites during the entire time period, thereby leading to an increase in the orbit eccentricities. During a 300-year period the eccentricities reach values greater than 0.5 and then oscillate with large amplitude, not dropping below 0.3. The inclinations and semimajor axes also undergo long-term oscillations. After a 200-year increase in the eccentricities, the two more piecewise-stable apsidal and nodal resonances start to act. By the end of the 500-year period, insignificant increase in the MEGNO parameter is observed.