Time analyticity and backward uniqueness of weak solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations of multidimensional compressible flow

We prove that solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations of three-dimensional compressible flow, restricted to fluid-particle trajectories, can be extended as analytic functions of complex time. As consequences we derive backward uniqueness of solutions as well as sharp rates of smoothing for higher-order Lagrangean time derivatives. The solutions under consideration are in a reasonably broad regularity class corresponding to small-energy initial data with a small degree of regularity, the latter being required for conversion to the Lagrangean coordinate system in which the analysis is carried out.