Beam-Park-Experiment-1/2000 with TIRA

A monostatic 24-h debris observation campaign (BPE-1/2000) has been prepared and conducted using FGAN's TIRA L-Band system. Based on experiences from previous Beam-park experiments a similar largely automated data processing is applied on an extended range window of 300–2000km. More than 1500 detections are encountered, 471 of them are verified as being real objects in Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO). PROOF's observation forecasting of catalogued objects is evaluated against the observed objects, and the difficulties obtaining radar cross-sections (RCSs) and object sizes from Beam-park experiments are discussed. Sidelobe detections are identified by using background information like two-line element (TLE) sets and/or catalogued RCSs.In comparison with previous experiments, the statistics show similarities confirming the concept of Beam-park experiments for space debris observations, despite the snapshot character of 24-h experiments. The comparison with MASTER/PROOF'99 and ORDEM2000 leads to a reasonable agreement between models and observations.     

天基照相跟踪空间碎片批处理轨道确定研究

随着国内外天基观测空间碎片研究的展开,文章提出了利用跟踪卫星的CCD(Charge
Coupled Device)相机对空间碎片进行轨道探测的方法,首先建立了CCD照相观测模型和基于 照相观测 的空间碎片批处理轨道确定模型。通过对CCD相机底片归算方法的分析可知,利用
CCD相机所获得的观测数据与跟踪卫星的姿态无关,且其精度只与测量和坐标转换计算的精 度有关,在测量和计算中可获得较高的精度。分别对分布密度较高的低轨道和地球同步 轨道区域的空间碎片进行了定轨分析。仿真结果表明,定轨时采用两个跟踪弧段的照相数据 定轨精度大大高于一个弧段照相数据的定轨精度;跟踪卫星距离空间碎片越近,定轨精度越 高;低轨道空间碎片的定轨精度高于地球同步轨道上的空间碎片定轨精度。
     

Will space run out of space? The orbital debris problem and its mitigation

An appraisal of current and future risks from space debris is presented with the aid of calculations carried out by the MASTER model. The efficacy of various technical options -- such as fuel venting, de-orbiting and use of a graveyard orbit -- for counteracting the problem is discussed. The article then focuses on governmental and international cooperative measures and looks at the recent work done by subcommittees of the UN COPUOS.     

Assessing the Impact Risk of Orbital Debris on Space Tethers

Tethers are being proposed for a growing number of space applications. However, they may be particularly vulnerable to orbital debris and meteoroid impacts. In order to provide useful reference data for tether systems design, detailed analytical and numerical computations were carried out to assess the average impact rate of artificial debris and meteoroids. The specific geometric properties of tethers as debris targets, when compared to typical satellites, are discussed, and the results obtained are presented in tabular form, as a function of debris size and tether diameter.The computations were carried out for six circular orbits, spanning three altitudes (600, 800 and 1000km) and two inclinations (30° and 50°). Tether diameters in between 1mm and 2cm and debris larger than 0.1mm were considered in the analysis. The collision risk of tethers with spacecraft and upper stages in orbit was estimated as well.In the debris interval and orbital regimes considered, artificial debris represent the dominant contributor to the impact rate. At 600km and in the 0.1–10mm size range, the meteoroid and orbital debris impact rates are still comparable; however, at higher altitudes and in the 1–10cm size range, meteoroids contribute 20–30 times less to the collision probability.The results obtained confirm that for single-strand tethers in low Earth orbit the probability to be severed by orbital debris and meteoroid impacts is quite significant, making necessary the adoption of innovative designs for long duration missions.     

Modeling of Ejecta Produced upon Hypervelocity Impacts

Each time a debris particle or a meteoroid strikes a satellite in orbit, a great amount of secondary particles is ejected in the neighborhood of the impact site. This phenomenon is important in particular for brittle materials, such as those used for solar arrays or thermal control paint. The secondary particles that do not impact other parts of the spacecraft are added to the primary debris population and hence increase the small debris particle flux. We describe an ejecta production model that gives the size and the velocity distribution of ejected particles as a function of primary impact parameters. The model has been used to explain the discrepancy between measurements and modeling of impact crater distribution on the solar arrays of the EuReCa spacecraft.     

A space based radar on a micro-satellite for in-situ detection of small orbital debris

The increase in the number of satellites in the Near Earth Orbit is exponential. The consequent increase in pollution of the orbital environment is of growing concern to the international community. There are currently only two observation systems available for measurement of orbital debris. Ground based radar and telescopes can detect objects larger than about 7 cm. Passive space based systems provide an accurate statistical estimation of flux for debris smaller than about 0.1 mm in size. Consequently, there is no way of obtaining information about debris in the millimeter-size range. Considering that the relative speed between objects in space is commonly in the km/s range, millimeter sized debris carry enough energy to be deadly to astronauts or to totally destroy the functioning of any satellite. Then National space agencies have recommended launching orbital spacecraft carrying debris detection experiments for gaining a better understanding of small debris.CNES (the French Space Agency) is developing a new family of micro-satellites, that will make possible to put into orbit a totally new system of radar that could measure in-situ flux of debris. We present results of this system analysis, which would cumulate the advantages of both ground-based radar and in orbit passive experiments.The proposed method for detection is quite original and allows the radar to act like a band-pass filter with respect to the debris diameter. The optimum frequency is shown to be in the Ka-band. Two points are critical in the definition of the radar: the average power available and the false alarm probability in the detection criterion. Therefore, we present a special receiver chain in order to optimize the signal-to-noise ratio. The estimate of the radial velocity through Doppler frequency measurement may be used to discriminate orbital debris from meteoroids. This system could be built today using an existing Continuous Wave amplifier. Several hundreds of objects per year could be detected yielding an accurate statistical estimation.The orbital debris radar would be a major contribution to our knowledge of millimeter sized debris. This experiment would contribute to making the current models more accurate at all inclinations. The micro-satellite concept would make the orbital debris radar mission cheap enough for considering a constellation of such satellites.     

Additional historical solid rocket motor burns

The use of orbital solid rocket motors (SRM) is responsible for the release of a high number of slag and Al₂O₃ dust particles which contribute to the space debris environment. This contribution has been modeled for the ESA space debris model MASTER (Meteoroid and Space Debris Terrestrial Environment Reference). The current model version, MASTER-2005, is based on the simulation of 1076 orbital SRM firings which mainly contributed to the long-term debris environment. SRM firings on very low earth orbits which produce only short living particles are not considered. A comparison of the modeled flux with impact data from returned surfaces shows that the shape and quantity of the modeled SRM dust distribution matches that of recent Hubble Space Telescope (HST) solar array measurements very well. However, the absolute flux level for dust is under-predicted for some of the analyzed Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) surfaces. This indicates that some past SRM firings are not included in the current event database. Thus it is necessary to investigate, if additional historical SRM burns, like the retro-burn of low orbiting re-entry capsules, may be responsible for these dust impacts. The most suitable candidates for these firings are the large number of SRM retro-burns of return capsules. This paper focuses on the SRM retro-burns of Russian photoreconnaissance satellites, which were used in high numbers during the time of the LDEF mission. It is discussed which types of satellites and motors may have been responsible for this historical contribution. Altogether, 870 additional SRM retro-burns have been identified. An important task is the identification of such missions to complete the current event data base. Different types of motors have been used to de-orbit both large satellites and small film return capsules. The results of simulation runs are presented.     

激光驱动接力移除空间碎片的小卫星星座及可行性研究

在众多空间碎片移除技术中，天基激光烧蚀驱动是一种高效的、有广阔应用前景的移除技术，特别是针对移除海量的、尺寸在1~10 cm的危险碎片而言，更是具有独特优势。然而，这一技术对高能激光器单脉冲能量、光束质量、发射镜口径等要求很高，目前的硬件水平还达不到实用指标要求，制约了其天基应用。为了克服这些硬件技术障碍，本文另辟蹊径，利用小卫星概念，提出了由不同轨道高度小卫星平台组成小卫星星座，通过在每个小卫星平台上的激光驱动接力来逐步降低碎片轨道高度，最终达到移除空间碎片的小卫星接力移除星座的构想。基于现有的激光器性能参数，根据激光烧蚀驱动碎片动力学模型计算了单个卫星平台的移除能力，结果显示，10 J单脉冲能量激光器和0.5 m直径发射镜，能够对20 km范围内、尺寸小于10 cm碎片进行有效驱动。进而，针对空间碎片密集度高而应用最广的800 km轨道高度区域，设计了由分布在不同轨道高度的30颗小卫星组成接力驱动移除星座系统方案，通过仿真模拟计算验证了星座系统的移除碎片的可行性。该研究利用目前热门的小卫星星座，降低了天基激光移除空间碎片技术对硬件的性能要求，为该技术的应用提供了新的思路和途径，所提出的小卫星接力驱动星座系统方案也有工程参考价值。     

克服地球轨道空间碎片的航天器防护结构几何规划设计

文章描述了一个用于航天器防护结构综合优化的独特方法——几何规划优化技术,以减小暴露于流星体和空间碎片超高速碰撞环境下的航天器防护结构系统的重量。空间碎片和流星体环境由广义加权目标函数的公式来定义。通过Wilkinson,Burch和Nysmith超高速碰撞预示模型说明几何规划的性能。表明遵循几何规划形式的超高速碰撞模型,可以进行综合非线性设计优化。     

基于不同模型的固体火箭发动机喷射物熔渣特性分析

固体火箭发动机喷射物中的熔渣是航天器防护和空间碎片风险评估关注的对象之一。文章首先介绍国外熔渣建模试验数据及理论模型,主要有NASA熔渣模型、MASTER2005熔渣子模型（以下简称MASTER模型）和麻省理工大学林肯实验室的MIT/LL熔渣模型;再利用NASA和MASTER模型分析熔渣尺寸-数量和质量特性。MASTER模型给出的熔渣数量和质量均低于NASA模型;且MASTER模型认为约91.8%的熔渣尺寸处于25～200 mm区间;尺寸大于250 mm的熔渣质量占熔渣总质量的88%,但其数量只占熔渣总数量的6.3%。以上研究结果为进一步分析熔渣对空间碎片环境的影响奠定了基础,对我国自主开展熔渣模型研究也有一定的参考价值。     

空间碎片撞击概率分析软件开发、校验与应用

航天器空间碎片撞击概率分析软件是我国独立设计开发的"空间碎片防护设计软件包"的重要组成部分。本文简要介绍了撞击概率分析软件的主要功能模块组成;重点对该软件的正确性进行了国际标准工况校验,并给出工程应用算例。     

Overview of the legal and policy challenges of orbital debris removal

Much attention has been paid recently to the issue of removing human-generated space debris from Earth orbit, especially following conclusions reached by both NASA and ESA that mitigating debris is not sufficient, that debris-on-debris and debris-on-active-satellite collisions will continue to generate new debris even without additional launches, and that some sort of active debris removal (ADR) is needed. Several techniques for ADR are technically plausible enough to merit further research and eventually operational testing. However, all ADR technologies present significant legal and policy challenges which will need to be addressed for debris removal to become viable. This paper summarizes the most promising techniques for removing space debris in both LEO and GEO, including electrodynamic tethers and ground- and space-based lasers. It then discusses several of the legal and policy challenges posed, including: lack of separate legal definitions for functional operational spacecraft and non-functional space debris; lack of international consensus on which types of space debris objects should be removed; sovereignty issues related to who is legally authorized to remove pieces of space debris; the need for transparency and confidence-building measures to reduce misperceptions of ADR as anti-satellite weapons; and intellectual property rights and liability with regard to ADR operations. Significant work on these issues must take place in parallel to the technical research and development of ADR techniques, and debris removal needs to be done in an environment of international collaboration and cooperation.     

载人航天器空间碎片防护与减缓设计

为降低空间碎片撞击所带来的威胁,文章针对某载人航天器进行了空间碎片撞击风险分析,并设计了空间碎片专用防护结构,制定了轨道规避策略;同时针对重点设备进行钝化设计,并采用寿命末期有控离轨制动方案。以上措施可有效实现空间碎片减缓。     

空间碎片的温度特性分析

对空间碎片温度特性的分析,是利用红外传感器探测空间碎片的基础,也是研究航天器在轨安全的重要内容。文章对空间碎片接收不同辐射进行全面分析,研究其在轨运行情况,建立热平衡方程,完成对不同时刻其温度变化的计算,并绘制出温度变化曲线。结果表明空间碎片在轨道上不同位置有不同的红外辐射特性。该研究对利用天基空间探测器进行空间碎片的检测、识别,以及航天器的规避有参考意义。     

Assessing the Risk of Orbital Debris Impact

A Space Debris Impact Risk Analysis Tool (SDIRAT) was developed and implemented to assess the orbital debris impact risk on a specified target in Earth orbit, in terms of flux, relative velocity, impact velocity, direction of the incoming particles, debris mass and diameter. Based on a deterministic approach, SDIRAT uses a realistic orbital debris population where each representative particle is identified by its rectangular coordinates (position and velocity) at a reference epoch. Using this information, some geometrical algorithms were developed and implemented to evaluate the contribution of each particle to the incoming flux. The position of the particle with respect to a specified target drives the selection criteria to reject, or select, it as a possible projectile. On the other hand, the relative velocity vector can be used to estimate the impact direction of the incoming flux. SDIRAT was conceived as a general tool for a variety of scenarios, such as low circular and elliptical orbits, up to the geosynchronous ring. This paper presents some examples of possible applications, including the computation of the incoming debris flux on SAX (low Earth orbit), SIRIO (geosynchronous orbit) and the IRIS upper stage (elliptical orbit). Other applications assess the impact risk for the Soviet Radar Ocean Reconnaissance Satellites Cosmos 1900 and Cosmos 1932.     

地球静止轨道卫星撞击解体的数值模拟

分析了地球静止轨道（GE0）环内的物体现状,引入美国家航空航天局（NASA）的标准解体模型,给出了卫星撞击解体算法,编写了数值仿真软件,仿真研究了GEO卫星撞击解体形成碎片的特征及其轨道分布。结果表明：撞击会产生大量碎片,对空间环境造成长期的严重危害。研究结果对分析卫星撞击解体特性、保护空间环境有一定的参考价值。     

空间碎片减缓策略效果仿真

根据机构间空间碎片协调委员会(IADC)和欧空局(ESA)的空间碎片减缓要求,在建立航天发射、爆炸和碰撞模型,以及碎片演化机制的基础上,对常规发射(BAU)、禁止在轨爆炸(NO-EX)和全面减缓(MIT)三种空间碎片减缓策略条件下,对2000~2100年空间碎片环境进行了仿真计算。结果表明,禁止航天器在轨爆炸、对失效的卫星和火箭上面级实施离轨操作,以及在航天器的发射和运行中不产生或抛弃分离物等减缓措施是限制空间碎片数量增长的有效方法。     

空间目标轨道信息软件平台的建设

空间目标轨道信息是空间态势感知的重要要素,是空间碰撞预警、空间碎片环境模型和许多空间应用的基础。因而,空间目标轨道确定成为空间态势感知的主要任务之一。文章介绍武汉大学测绘学院正在开发建设的空间目标轨道信息服务软件平台,该平台拥有的主要功能有:利用多源数据的卫星/空间碎片轨道确定(包括初轨确定)与预报、大气质量密度模型精化、空间碰撞预警和半解析法快速精密轨道传播等。文章还针对软件平台功能的研究进展进行了综述,介绍了软件平台发展规划。     

A model for the evolution of the on-orbit man-made debris environment

A model for the evolution of the low Earth orbit man-made debris population is presented and the results of several test cases discussed. Debris sources include normal operations in space, explosions occurring on spacecraft in orbit, and collisions between objects in orbit; the stochastic occurrence of these deposition events is modeled using Monte Carlo techniques. A technique for discriminating between objects populating long-life vs rapid-decay orbits is discussed and applied to the analysis of debris contributions from collisions of comparable sized objects. In varying degrees, each of the cases presented indicate there is cause for concern for spacecraft and space operations from the 1990s onward-man-made debris will play a role which may vary from presenting a considerable hazard to certain operations or certain spacecraft to effectively prohibiting the use of certain spaceccraft or space operations.     

空间碎片现状与清理

分析了空间碎片的严峻现状和空间碎片的10个来源,指出轨道碰撞是产生碎片最多的因素;介绍了空间碎片的观测方法、原理和观测系统的概况,包括正在兴建的观测系统——“空间篱笆”。最后,根据不同轨道高度和空间碎片的数量与大小,提出空间碎片清理原则、要求和9种清理方法。