Early detection of collisional cascading

Andrew E. Potter

doi:10.1117/12.156552

Abstract

Theoretical analyses of the orbital debris environment have shown that collisions could eventually become the dominant source of orbital debris. Debris will be added to the environment more rapidly by collisions than it can be removed by atmospheric drag. The models suggest that this process has already begun in some altitude regimes, specifically in the region from about 900 to 1000 km. It is important to verify these predictions by measurement in order to provide solid justification for early preventive measures. Collisions of two large objects are predicted to be very infrequent at the present time. However, the models predict that collisions of small debris with large objects will take place at an appreciable rate. One collision of an 0.5 cm object with a large object is expected each year. The collision rate increases with decreasing size, such that 80 collisions of 1 mm objects with a large object are expected each year. These collisions will not destroy the large object, but will generate a shower of microdebris. The particles generated by such collisions are mostly thrown forward, and either escape, or enter exceptionally long-lived elliptical orbits. It is suggested that an orbital experiment be flown for the specific purpose of detecting the predicted collisions by measuring the micro-debris fluxes resulting from the collisions.

Citation Download Citation

Andrew E. Potter, Andrew E. Potter, } "Early detection of collisional cascading", Proc. SPIE 1951, Space Debris Detection and Mitigation, (15 September 1993); doi: 10.1117/12.156552; https://doi.org/10.1117/12.156552

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

PERSONAL SIGN IN
Full access may be available with your subscription

Email or Username Forgot your username?

Password Forgot your password?

Show

Remember Email/Username on this computer

Remember Password

No SPIE account? Create an account
or Institutional Sign In via Shibboleth

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $14.40

Non-members: $18.00 ADD TO CART

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years