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.


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    Title :

    Future collisional evolution of Earth-orbiting debris


    Contributors:
    Cordelli, A. (author) / Farinella, P. (author) / Anselmo, L. (author) / Pardini, C. (author) / Rossi, A. (author)

    Published in:

    Advances in Space Research ; 13 , 8 ; 215-219


    Publication date :

    1993-01-01


    Size :

    5 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




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