Orbital variations of satellite 1976-87a and a determination of the air density at heights of 205 – 220 km

We Investigate the orbital changes of the satellite 1976-87A (the sixth Chinese satellite) during its lifetime and from its orbital decay rate determine the air density at heights 205–220 km. The density we obtained is, on the average, over 20% greater than that in the CIRA 1972 model. We discuss in detail the correlation between changes in the density and in the geomagnetic activity, and the relationships between the geomagnetic effect and the latitude and the local solar time.