The following graph show the rate of fall dh/dt as a function of time since the launch. The calculations made by me from the Keplerian data daily and plotted at intervals of 5 days. It is clearly visible irregularity of the rate of decline, due to variations in solar flux and other factors that cause variations in the density of the atmosphere and hence the drag, as well as the increasingly rapid increase in this ratio due to increased density of the atmosphere with the decrease in height.
Roland, PY4ZBZ
