Upper atmospheric phenomena and satellite drag

Astrodynamicists with experience in operational orbit determination of low Earth orbit satellites during periods of high solar activity are familiar with the difficulty of accurately predicting satellite positions even a few days or hours in advance. This paper examines the relationship between upper atmospheric phenomena and their effects on satellite drag. This is an initial effort to correlate known or theorized thermospheric and exospheric density variations that will have a measurable effect on satellite drag, but are not included in current density models used in orbit propagation. Hopefully this will stimulate increased cooperation between the orbital mechanics and aeronomy research communities.