Characterization of the potential impact of space systems on the orbital debris environment: satellite constellations

Richard Crowther; Hedley Stokes; Roger Walker; Simon P. Barrows; Graham Swinerd

doi:10.1117/12.212564

23 June 1995 Characterization of the potential impact of space systems on the orbital debris environment: satellite constellations

Richard Crowther, Hedley Stokes, Roger Walker, Simon P. Barrows, Graham Swinerd

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 2483, Space Environmental, Legal, and Safety Issues; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.212564
Event: SPIE's 1995 Symposium on OE/Aerospace Sensing and Dual Use Photonics, 1995, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

In this paper we consider the implications for the orbital debris environment of introducing a constellation of satellites into low Earth orbit. We consider not only the impact that the orbital debris population will have on the satellites, but also the possible effect of the space system on the environment. Using standard population models we estimate the collision risk that the current orbital debris environment will present to a variety of generic constellation designs, and investigate the consequences of a collision-induced breakup of one of the constellation elements for operational satellites residing both within, and outside, the constellation. We apply state-of-the-art developments in the method of probabilistic continuun dynamics to estimate the short term collision hazard, and the classical Kessler approach to estimate the long term collision risk. We assess the probability of a collision-induced cascade fragmentation occuring within the system and its possible consequences for the extermal satellite population. We find that for large constellation sizes, the likelihood of a collision- induced breakup of a satellite is significant, although the probability of a collisional cascade within the constellation remains small by comparison.

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Richard Crowther, Hedley Stokes, Roger Walker, Simon P. Barrows, and Graham Swinerd "Characterization of the potential impact of space systems on the orbital debris environment: satellite constellations", Proc. SPIE 2483, Space Environmental, Legal, and Safety Issues, (23 June 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.212564

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