Performance of perturbation methods on orbit prediction

In this paper we analyze briefly the use of two classical perturbation methods vs. the formulation using cartesian coordinates in the numerical integration of satellite orbits. In particular, we compare with the variation-of-parameters (VOP) and Encke’s methods. The numerical tests performed with a realistic Earth potential model and using a well-recognized numerical ODE integrator (dop853) permit us to establish the power of these alternative formulations on orbital problems, in spite of the affirmations of other researchers.