Abstract A very fast method of calculating the collision frequency between two low-eccentricity orbiting bodies has been developed for evaluating the evolution of Earth orbiting objects, such as space debris. The result is very accurate and the required computer time is negligible. This method is now applied without modification to calculate the collision frequencies for moderately and highly eccentric orbits. In collisions between the Earth and Earth-crossing bodies deviations in results are noticed when compared with the results published by Opik, Shoemaker et al., and Steel and Baggaley. The cause for some large deviations comes mainly from different methods used by different research groups in calculating the collision probabilities between ojects in similar inclinations. The errors in the results because of the approximation applied to the moderately and highly eccentric orbits are rather small. Furthermore, considering the tremendous computer time saved and the similar order of magnitude results, the fast method will be of great value in calculating the evolution of millions of objects circulating around a massive central attractor.
A rapid method of estimating the collision frequencies between the Earth and the Earth-crossing bodies
Advances in Space Research ; 11 , 6 ; 23-27
1991-01-01
5 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
The flux of Earth-crossing and moon-cratering interplanetary bodies
Elsevier | 1981
|IMPACT: an Integrated Approach for the Monitoring and Classification of Earth Crossing Bodies
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1998
|