The data sources for the deterministic (greater than 10 cm), the nondeterministic (greater than 1 cm) and the small size space debris population (less than 1 cm) are reviewed, including assessments of their expected accuracy. Based on the USSpaceCom (United States Space Command) catalog, spatial object distributions and their effect in low Earth orbit collision risks are analyzed with due regard to remote sensing platforms (ERS-1, Polar Platform, Columbus). Conclusions on the growth of man made space debris, avoidance of catastrophic collisions, and spacecraft operability improvement, are given. Current knowledge of the space debris environment is mainly based on data in particulates smaller than 1 mm (retrieved surfaces) and larger than 10 cm (USSpaceCom Catalog). Inflight sensors on Sun synchronous orbits are suggested as best suitable to improve knowledge in the poorly observable yet high collision risk 1 mm to 10 cm debris objects, so far only analyzed by experimental ground based 'spot checks'. Such instruments could fly either in dedicated platforms or as passengers of remote sensing missions.
Space Debris Environment for Remote Sensing Satellites
1992
7 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
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