Space debris: Electrodynamic effects

It is shown that electrodynamic forces play a crucial role in the orbital dynamics of the small Al₂O₃ particles that are injected into the terrestrial magnetosphere during solid rocket propellent burns. Due to the simplified model that is used to describe the plasma distribution in the magnetosphere, the present results are necessarily preliminary. Even so, it appears that the smallest particles (a = 0.1 μm) will be rapidly eliminated from the magnetosphere. Evaluation of the fate of the somewhat larger (a = 1 μm) particles awaits the construction of a more complete and realistic model of the magnetospheric plasma.