Abstract Earth-orbiting objects can undergo high-velocity mutual collisions which affect their size distribution by generating swarms of fragments, playing the role of potential new projectiles. We are developing a model which simulates this collisional evolution process by integrating a set of 150 coupled, nonlinear, first-order differential equations which include various source and sink terms. Some preliminary results are illustrated, showing that on the long term the impact process can cause a catastrophic decrease of the spacecraft population, in particular in the shell between 700 and 1000 km altitudes.
Future collisional evolution of Earth-orbiting debris
Advances in Space Research ; 13 , 8 ; 215-219
01.01.1993
5 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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