Regulating the Void: In-Orbit Collisions and Space Debris
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NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas 77058 October 1999 Volume 4, Issue 4
A publication of The Orbital Debris Program Office NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas 77058 October 1999 Volume 4, Issue 4. NEWS Marshall Researchers Developing Patch Kit to Mitigate ISS Impact Damage Stephen B. Hall, FD23A procedure and developmental status. external patching for several reasons: time KERMIt Lead Engineer constraints, accessibility, work envelope, Marshall Space Flight Center External Repair Rationale collateral damage and EVA suit compatibility. KERMIt, a Kit for External Repair of The decision was made to develop a kit for A primary risk factor in repairing Module Impacts, is now punctured modules is the being developed at the time constraint involved. Marshall Space Flight Even given the relatively Center in Huntsville, Ala. large volume of air within Its purpose: to seal the Space Station upon punctures in the assembly completion, International Space Station analyses have shown that a caused by collisions with 1-inch-diameter hole can meteoroids or space cause pressure to drop to debris. The kit will enable unacceptable levels in just crewmembers to seal one hour. In that timeframe, punctures from outside the crew must conclude a damaged modules that module has been punctured, have lost atmospheric determine its location, pressure. Delivery of the remove obstructions kit for operational use is restricting access, obtain a scheduled for next year. repair kit and seal the leak. This article -- which This action would be a expands on material challenge even if the crew appearing in the July 1999 was not injured and no issue of “Orbital Debris significant subsystem Quarterly” -- discusses the damage had occurred. rationale for an externally applied patch, Astronaut installing toggle bolt in simulated puncture sample plate on Laboratory requirements influencing Module in Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory. -
Shuttle-Mir Rendezvous & [Locking Missions
/ tv -t_ ---Fi>{ NASA-TM-II2692 • _7, w- -_ ° ;: Fourth Report of the Task Force on the Shuttle-Mir Rendezvous & [locking Missions March 1, 1995 A Task Force of the NASA Advisory Council THOMAS P. STAFFORD 1006 Cameron Street Alexandria, VA 22314 March 1, 1995 Dr. Bradford Paxkinson Chairman, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Advisory Council National Aeronautics and Space Administration Washington, DC 20546-0001 Dear Dr. Parkinson: Enclosed is the fourth report of the NAC Task Force on the Shuttle-Mir Rendezvous and Docking Missions. This report is the culmination of a two and one-half month review of preparations in Russia for the Phase 1A missions (Soyuz TM-21, Mir 18 Main Expedition, and STS-71). Once again the Task Force received tremendous support from many individuals and organizations at NASA. The same applied to our site visits in Russia where we were met with an openness and candor which served to reinforce our confidence in the ultimate success of the upcoming missions. Over the next two months, the Task Force will be focusing its efforts in two areas. The first are the preparations for STS-71, including the status of the Orbiter Docking System and the analysis of data produced by the STS-63 mission. The second area is the NASA and NASA contractor presence in Russia, including the interaction of Phase 1 and Phase 2 personnel, NASA and contractor functions, and the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2. Sincerely, Thomas P. Stafford CC: NASA/HQ/Code A/Mr. Goldin NASA/HQ/Code A/Gen. Dailey NASA/HQ/Code A/Mr. -
Observation of Light Curves of Space Objects Hirohisa Kurosaki Japan
Observation of Light Curves of Space Objects Hirohisa Kurosaki Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Toshifumi Yanagisawa Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Atsushi Nakajima Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Abstract Geostationary orbit and low earth orbit have many artificial satellites, and the accidents of these satellites affect every area such as weather forecasts and communications. In the optical observation, the periodical change of the brightness which is caused by the type and the shape of the satellite is seen. In the case of LEO debris, since the movement is fast, it crosses the field of view in several seconds. We used an observation method to get the data of LEO debris. In case of the GEO debris, the rate of motion is slow in comparison with LEO debris. Fixed stars are observed by the same position on the image when the telescope is operated in sidereal tracking mode. Then, space objects are recorded on the image with streaks of light. In this paper, the observation and the detection method of light curve of geostationary orbit debris are discussed. Observing the changes of the operative satellites with some time intervals may help to detect the abnormalities and accidents of them. 1. INTRODUCTION Artificial satellites that have finished their missions and used rockets are called space debris. Most of them are not under any control. The space debris problem must be solved to perform future space development and maintain safety. Many artificial satellites indispensable for human activities circle the earth. If one of these satellites malfunctions, many human activities are impacted. An artificial satellite is monitored to control its trajectory while it is in operation. -
Detecting, Tracking and Imaging Space Debris
r bulletin 109 — february 2002 Detecting, Tracking and Imaging Space Debris D. Mehrholz, L. Leushacke FGAN Research Institute for High-Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques, Wachtberg, Germany W. Flury, R. Jehn, H. Klinkrad, M. Landgraf European Space Operations Centre (ESOC), Darmstadt, Germany Earth’s space-debris environment tracked, with estimates for the number of Today’s man-made space-debris environment objects larger than 1 cm ranging from 100 000 has been created by the space activities to 200 000. that have taken place since Sputnik’s launch in 1957. There have been more than 4000 The sources of this debris are normal launch rocket launches since then, as well as many operations (Fig. 2), certain operations in space, other related debris-generating occurrences fragmentations as a result of explosions and such as more than 150 in-orbit fragmentation collisions in space, firings of satellite solid- events. rocket motors, material ageing effects, and leaking thermal-control systems. Solid-rocket Among the more than 8700 objects larger than 10 cm in Earth orbits, motors use aluminium as a catalyst (about 15% only about 6% are operational satellites and the remainder is space by mass) and when burning they emit debris. Europe currently has no operational space surveillance aluminium-oxide particles typically 1 to 10 system, but a powerful radar facility for the detection and tracking of microns in size. In addition, centimetre-sized space debris and the imaging of space objects is available in the form objects are formed by metallic aluminium melts, of the 34 m dish radar at the Research Establishment for Applied called ‘slag’. -
NTI Day 9 Astronomy Michael Feeback Go To: Teachastronomy
NTI Day 9 Astronomy Michael Feeback Go to: teachastronomy.com textbook (chapter layout) Chapter 3 The Copernican Revolution Orbits Read the article and answer the following questions. Orbits You can use Newton's laws to calculate the speed that an object must reach to go into a circular orbit around a planet. The answer depends only on the mass of the planet and the distance from the planet to the desired orbit. The more massive the planet, the faster the speed. The higher above the surface, the lower the speed. For Earth, at a height just above the atmosphere, the answer is 7.8 kilometers per second, or 17,500 mph, which is why it takes a big rocket to launch a satellite! This speed is the minimum needed to keep an object in space near Earth, and is called the circular velocity. An object with a lower velocity will fall back to the surface under Earth's gravity. The same idea applies to any object in orbit around a larger object. The circular velocity of the Moon around the Earth is 1 kilometer per second. The Earth orbits the Sun at an average circular velocity of 30 kilometers per second (the Earth's orbit is an ellipse, not a circle, but it's close enough to circular that this is a good approximation). At further distances from the Sun, planets have lower orbital velocities. Pluto only has an average circular velocity of about 5 kilometers per second. To launch a satellite, all you have to do is raise it above the Earth's atmosphere with a rocket and then accelerate it until it reaches a speed of 7.8 kilometers per second. -
L AUNCH SYSTEMS Databk7 Collected.Book Page 18 Monday, September 14, 2009 2:53 PM Databk7 Collected.Book Page 19 Monday, September 14, 2009 2:53 PM
databk7_collected.book Page 17 Monday, September 14, 2009 2:53 PM CHAPTER TWO L AUNCH SYSTEMS databk7_collected.book Page 18 Monday, September 14, 2009 2:53 PM databk7_collected.book Page 19 Monday, September 14, 2009 2:53 PM CHAPTER TWO L AUNCH SYSTEMS Introduction Launch systems provide access to space, necessary for the majority of NASA’s activities. During the decade from 1989–1998, NASA used two types of launch systems, one consisting of several families of expendable launch vehicles (ELV) and the second consisting of the world’s only partially reusable launch system—the Space Shuttle. A significant challenge NASA faced during the decade was the development of technologies needed to design and implement a new reusable launch system that would prove less expensive than the Shuttle. Although some attempts seemed promising, none succeeded. This chapter addresses most subjects relating to access to space and space transportation. It discusses and describes ELVs, the Space Shuttle in its launch vehicle function, and NASA’s attempts to develop new launch systems. Tables relating to each launch vehicle’s characteristics are included. The other functions of the Space Shuttle—as a scientific laboratory, staging area for repair missions, and a prime element of the Space Station program—are discussed in the next chapter, Human Spaceflight. This chapter also provides a brief review of launch systems in the past decade, an overview of policy relating to launch systems, a summary of the management of NASA’s launch systems programs, and tables of funding data. The Last Decade Reviewed (1979–1988) From 1979 through 1988, NASA used families of ELVs that had seen service during the previous decade. -
Soviet Steps Toward Permanent Human Presence in Space
SALYUT: Soviet Steps Toward Permanent Human Presence in Space December 1983 NTIS order #PB84-181437 Recommended Citation: SALYUT: Soviet Steps Toward Permanent Human Presence in Space–A Technical Mere- orandum (Washington, D. C.: U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, OTA- TM-STI-14, December 1983). Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 83-600624 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 Foreword As the other major spacefaring nation, the Soviet Union is a subject of interest to the American people and Congress in their deliberations concerning the future of U.S. space activities. In the course of an assessment of Civilian Space Stations, the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) has undertaken a study of the presence of Soviets in space and their Salyut space stations, in order to provide Congress with an informed view of Soviet capabilities and intentions. The major element in this technical memorandum was a workshop held at OTA in December 1982: it was the first occasion when a significant number of experts in this area of Soviet space activities had met for extended unclassified discussion. As a result of the workshop, OTA prepared this technical memorandum, “Salyut: Soviet Steps Toward Permanent Human Presence in Space. ” It has been reviewed extensively by workshop participants and others familiar with Soviet space activities. Also in December 1982, OTA wrote to the U. S. S. R.’s Ambassador to the United States Anatoliy Dobrynin, requesting any information concerning present and future Soviet space activities that the Soviet Union judged could be of value to the OTA assess- ment of civilian space stations. -
Up, Up, and Away by James J
www.astrosociety.org/uitc No. 34 - Spring 1996 © 1996, Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 390 Ashton Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112. Up, Up, and Away by James J. Secosky, Bloomfield Central School and George Musser, Astronomical Society of the Pacific Want to take a tour of space? Then just flip around the channels on cable TV. Weather Channel forecasts, CNN newscasts, ESPN sportscasts: They all depend on satellites in Earth orbit. Or call your friends on Mauritius, Madagascar, or Maui: A satellite will relay your voice. Worried about the ozone hole over Antarctica or mass graves in Bosnia? Orbital outposts are keeping watch. The challenge these days is finding something that doesn't involve satellites in one way or other. And satellites are just one perk of the Space Age. Farther afield, robotic space probes have examined all the planets except Pluto, leading to a revolution in the Earth sciences -- from studies of plate tectonics to models of global warming -- now that scientists can compare our world to its planetary siblings. Over 300 people from 26 countries have gone into space, including the 24 astronauts who went on or near the Moon. Who knows how many will go in the next hundred years? In short, space travel has become a part of our lives. But what goes on behind the scenes? It turns out that satellites and spaceships depend on some of the most basic concepts of physics. So space travel isn't just fun to think about; it is a firm grounding in many of the principles that govern our world and our universe. -
Multisatellite Determination of the Relativistic Electron Phase Space Density at Geosynchronous Orbit: Methodology and Results During Geomagnetically Quiet Times Y
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, VOL. 110, A10210, doi:10.1029/2004JA010895, 2005 Multisatellite determination of the relativistic electron phase space density at geosynchronous orbit: Methodology and results during geomagnetically quiet times Y. Chen, R. H. W. Friedel, and G. D. Reeves Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA T. G. Onsager NOAA, Boulder, Colorado, USA M. F. Thomsen Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA Received 10 November 2004; revised 20 May 2005; accepted 8 July 2005; published 20 October 2005. [1] We develop and test a methodology to determine the relativistic electron phase space density distribution in the vicinity of geostationary orbit by making use of the pitch-angle resolved energetic electron data from three Los Alamos National Laboratory geosynchronous Synchronous Orbit Particle Analyzer instruments and magnetic field measurements from two GOES satellites. Owing to the Earth’s dipole tilt and drift shell splitting for different pitch angles, each satellite samples a different range of Roederer L* throughout its orbit. We use existing empirical magnetic field models and the measured pitch-angle resolved electron spectra to determine the phase space density as a function of the three adiabatic invariants at each spacecraft. Comparing all satellite measurements provides a determination of the global phase space density gradient over the range L* 6–7. We investigate the sensitivity of this method to the choice of the magnetic field model and the fidelity of the instrument intercalibration in order to both understand and mitigate possible error sources. Results for magnetically quiet periods show that the radial slopes of the density distribution at low energy are positive, while at high energy the slopes are negative, which confirms the results from some earlier studies of this type. -
Highlights in Space 2010
International Astronautical Federation Committee on Space Research International Institute of Space Law 94 bis, Avenue de Suffren c/o CNES 94 bis, Avenue de Suffren UNITED NATIONS 75015 Paris, France 2 place Maurice Quentin 75015 Paris, France Tel: +33 1 45 67 42 60 Fax: +33 1 42 73 21 20 Tel. + 33 1 44 76 75 10 E-mail: : [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Fax. + 33 1 44 76 74 37 URL: www.iislweb.com OFFICE FOR OUTER SPACE AFFAIRS URL: www.iafastro.com E-mail: [email protected] URL : http://cosparhq.cnes.fr Highlights in Space 2010 Prepared in cooperation with the International Astronautical Federation, the Committee on Space Research and the International Institute of Space Law The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs is responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space and assisting developing countries in using space science and technology. United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs P. O. Box 500, 1400 Vienna, Austria Tel: (+43-1) 26060-4950 Fax: (+43-1) 26060-5830 E-mail: [email protected] URL: www.unoosa.org United Nations publication Printed in Austria USD 15 Sales No. E.11.I.3 ISBN 978-92-1-101236-1 ST/SPACE/57 *1180239* V.11-80239—January 2011—775 UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR OUTER SPACE AFFAIRS UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT VIENNA Highlights in Space 2010 Prepared in cooperation with the International Astronautical Federation, the Committee on Space Research and the International Institute of Space Law Progress in space science, technology and applications, international cooperation and space law UNITED NATIONS New York, 2011 UniTEd NationS PUblication Sales no. -
Geosynchronous Orbit Determination Using Space Surveillance Network Observations and Improved Radiative Force Modeling
Geosynchronous Orbit Determination Using Space Surveillance Network Observations and Improved Radiative Force Modeling by Richard Harry Lyon B.S., Astronautical Engineering United States Air Force Academy, 2002 SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AERONAUTICS AND ASTRONAUTICS AT THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JUNE 2004 0 2004 Massachusetts Institute of Technology. All rights reserved. Signature of Author: Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics May 14, 2004 Certified by: Dr. Pa1 J. Cefola Technical Staff, the MIT Lincoln Laboratory Lecturer, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics Thesis Supervisor Accepted by: Edward M. Greitzer H.N. Slater Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics MASSACHUSETTS INS E OF TECHNOLOGY Chair, Committee on Graduate Students JUL 0 1 2004 AERO LBRARIES [This page intentionally left blank.] 2 Geosynchronous Orbit Determination Using Space Surveillance Network Observations and Improved Radiative Force Modeling by Richard Harry Lyon Submitted to the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics on May 14, 2004 in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics ABSTRACT Correct modeling of the space environment, including radiative forces, is an important aspect of space situational awareness for geostationary (GEO) spacecraft. Solar radiation pressure has traditionally been modeled using a rotationally-invariant sphere with uniform optical properties. This study is intended to improve orbit determination accuracy for 3-axis stabilized GEO spacecraft via an improved radiative force model. The macro-model approach, developed earlier at NASA GSFC for the Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRSS), models the spacecraft area and reflectivity properties using an assembly of flat plates to represent the spacecraft components. -
Space Debris
IADC-11-04 April 2013 Space Debris IADC Assessment Report for 2010 Issued by the IADC Steering Group Table of Contents 1. Foreword .......................................................................... 1 2. IADC Highlights ................................................................ 2 3. Space Debris Activities in the United Nations ................... 4 4. Earth Satellite Population .................................................. 6 5. Satellite Launches, Reentries and Retirements ................ 10 6. Satellite Fragmentations ................................................... 15 7. Collision Avoidance .......................................................... 17 8. Orbital Debris Removal ..................................................... 18 9. Major Meetings Addressing Space Debris ........................ 20 Appendix: Satellite Break-ups, 2000-2010 ............................ 22 IADC Assessment Report for 2010 i Acronyms ADR Active Debris Removal ASI Italian Space Agency CNES Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (France) CNSA China National Space Agency CSA Canadian Space Agency COPUOS Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, United Nations DLR German Aerospace Center ESA European Space Agency GEO Geosynchronous Orbit region (region near 35,786 km altitude where the orbital period of a satellite matches that of the rotation rate of the Earth) IADC Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee ISRO Indian Space Research Organization ISS International Space Station JAXA Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency LEO Low