Dynamics Of Orbiting Debris Clouds And The Resulting Collision Hazard To Spacecraft
£5.00
V. A. Chobotov. (1990), JBIS, 43, pp.187-195
Refcode: 1990.43.187
Abstract:
Continuous use of space over the last 30 years has built up a large number of orbiting objects, the majority generated by explosions of spacecraft or rocket stages. Late 1970’s studies at the Johnson Space Center concluded that fragments from collision between space objects would be a major source of debris. Studies at The Aerospace Corporation examined the collision hazard to operational spacecraft from space debris, including the effects of position uncertainty on the probability of collision between any two objects in orbit. Other studies considered the distribution of some 5000 NORAD Catalog objects as a function of altitude and orbital inclination. Encounter parameters such as miss distance and relative velocity were examined by computer simulation for low altitude and geosynchronous orbit spacecraft. Representative space shuttle and geosynchronous mission collision probabilities were determined.
