Relativistic effects in the critical inclination problem in artificial satellite theory

It is well known that in artifical satellite theory special techniques must be employed to construct a formal solution whenever the orbital inclination is sufficiently close to the critical value cos^–1 (1/5). In this article the authors investigate the consequences of introducing certain relativistic effects into the motion of a satellite about an oblate primary. Particular attention is paid to the critical inclination(s), and for such critical motions an appropriate method of solution is formulated.