Abstract The number of man-made debris objects orbiting the Earth, or orbital debris, is alarmingly increasing, resulting in the increased probability of degradation, damage, or destruction of operating spacecraft. In part, small objects (<10cm) in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) are of concern because they are abundant and difficult to track or even to detect on a routine basis. Due to the increasing debris population it is reasonable to assume that improved capabilities for on-orbit damage attribution, in addition to increased capabilities to detect and track small objects are needed. Here we present a sensor concept to detect small debris with sizes between approximately 1.0 and 0.01cm in the vicinity of a host spacecraft for near real time damage attribution and characterization of dense debris fields and potentially to provide additional data to existing debris models.
Highlights We present a concept for near real time, on orbit satellite damage attribution and debris field characterization. We illustrate the expected performance of the debris spotter using a specific example. We discuss design options for improved performance or tailoring to specific applications.
Optical orbital debris spotter
Acta Astronautica ; 104 , 1 ; 99-105
2014-07-24
7 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
ASAT , Anti-satellite Test , CCD , charge-coupled device , FOV , field-of-view , ISS , International Space Station , LDEF , Long-Duration Exposure Facility , LEO , Low Earth Orbit , S/C , spacecraft , SSN , Space Surveillance Network , Space debris , Orbital debris , Kessler syndrome , Detection , Optical , Laser
Optical orbital debris spotter
Online Contents | 2014
|Beulenausziehgeraet "Uni-Spotter"
Kraftfahrwesen | 1979
|