Abstract Sensitivities to the future growth of orbital debris and the resulting hazard to operational satellites due to collisional breakups of large derelict objects are being studied extensively. However, little work has been done to quantify the technical and operational tradeoffs between options for minimizing future derelict fragmentations that act as the primary source for future debris hazard growth. The two general categories of debris mitigation examined for prevention of collisions involving large derelict objects (rocket bodies and payloads) are active debris removal (ADR) and just-in-time collision avoidance (JCA). Timing, cost, and effectiveness are compared for ADR and JCA solutions highlighting the required enhancements in uncooperative element set accuracy, rapid ballistic launch, despin/grappling systems, removal technologies, and remote impulsive devices. The primary metrics are (1) the number of derelict objects moved/removed per the number of catastrophic collisions prevented and (2) cost per collision event prevented. A response strategy that contains five different activities, including selective JCA and ADR, is proposed as the best approach going forward.
Highlights Active debris removal is very expensive and approaches collision prevention statistically. Just-in-time collision avoidance has significant technical hurdles but may be useful in debris collision prevention. Improvement to orbital element set accuracy is an important enhancement need to aid space safety efforts.
System engineering analysis of derelict collision prevention options
Acta Astronautica ; 89 ; 248-253
2013-04-13
6 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Debris , Removal , Mitigation , Collision
System engineering analysis of derelict collision prevention options
Online Contents | 2013
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