Space Debris & Debris Mitigation

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© The Aerospace Corporation 2011 Space Debris & Debris Mitigation Marlon Sorge The Aerospace Corporation AIAA Improving Space Operations Workshop 5 April 2011

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Space Debris & Debris Mitigation. Marlon Sorge The Aerospace Corporation. AIAA Improving Space Operations Workshop 5 April 2011. Overview. Why is debris a problem? Current environment Future environment Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee Components of mitigation - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of Space Debris & Debris Mitigation

Page 1: Space Debris & Debris Mitigation

© The Aerospace Corporation 2011

Space Debris & Debris Mitigation

Marlon SorgeThe Aerospace Corporation

AIAA Improving Space Operations Workshop5 April 2011

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Overview

• Why is debris a problem?• Current environment• Future environment• Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee• Components of mitigation• US mitigation

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The Space Debris Issue

• Space debris spans large size range

• High speeds make small debris lethal

• >160 events, resulting in hundreds of thousands of fragments

• Debris above atmosphere have long lifetimes

• Debris > 10 cm can be tracked but not immediately

• 1 - 10 cm debris is lethal but untrackable

10 cm

1 cm

500 miles/hr

20 miles/hr

400 lbs

400 lbs

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Space Debris Risks to Satellites

• Short-term risk– Event driven (explosions and collisions)– Potentially significant increase in risk– “Localized“ high risk– Risk dissipates into background in weeks-

months• Long-term risk

– Due to existing background debris environment

– Risk is relatively constant for many orbits– Satellites are constantly exposed– Tracked risk can be mitigate with collision

avoidance

Debris Objects Not to Scale

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Distribution of Trackable Objects in Orbit

• Flux of objects in LEO is significantly higher than MEO or GEO• Peak in LEO 750 – 900 km

LEO Distribution by AltitudeDistribution of Objects in Orbit

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Numbers of Objects in LEO

• Effects of individual breakups is noticeable• Significant recent increase in debris

Number of Tracked Objects in LEO

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Distribution of Satellites in LEO

• Most satellites are Russian• US represents about 30% (US + Iridium/Globalstar /Orbcomm)

Iridium/Globalstar/Orbcomm

Data from June 2009

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Distribution of Rocket Bodies in LEO

• Most rocket bodies are Russian (SL)– Similar proportion to satellites

• US contributed about 1/3 of population

Data from June 2009

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Distribution of Debris in LEOFragments from explosions and collisions

• Debris divided about equally between US, Russia, China– US; mostly explosions– Russia: divided between satellite and upper stage explosions– China: primarily from ASAT test

Data from June 2009

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Geosynchronous Orbit EnvironmentR. Jehn, el. al. , “Reorbiting of Satellites in High Altitudes,” 5th European Conference on Space Debris, 30 March -2 April 2009

• GEO belt distribution is not uniform

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Future Debris Environment 100-Year ProjectionLEO, no new launches• Trackable debris environment is expected to grow even with no

additional launches• Collisions between existing objects (currently tracked) will drive

growth

Currently Tracked

Debris fromCurrently Tracked vs Currently Tracked

LEO Debris Environment Projection

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Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC)Primary international space debris organization

• International government forum for worldwide coordination of activities related to the issues of man-made and natural space debris

• Reports to United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS)

• Produces “IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines”– Agreed to practices for mitigating space debris– Provides technical justification for mitigation approaches

• UN General Assembly adopted resolution containing space debris (RES/62/217, 10 Jan, 2008)– Adopts IADC Mitigation Guidelines– Emphasizes importance of space debris issues

• IADC web site http://www.iadc-online.org

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IADC Mitigation GuidelinesBasis for many international mitigation standards

• Limit debris released during normal operations– Long term risk from any planned released should be assessed– Tethered systems should consider intact and severed risks

• Minimize the potential for on-orbit break-ups– Minimize risk of post-mission break-up from stored energy– Minimize potential for break-ups during operational phases– Avoid intentional destruction and other harmful activities

• Intentional break-ups, if necessary, should be conducted at low altitudes

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IADC Mitigation GuidelinesContinued

• Post mission disposal– GEO disposal

• Remain outside 200 km protected region around GEO

– LEO disposal• “25-year rule”

– Disposal by reentry should not pose undo hazard on ground

• Prevention of on-orbit collisions– Limit effect of small debris on

satellite and disposal systems– Perform collision avoidance when

needed• IADC Mitigation Handbook

provides additional details

LEO Disposal

GEO DisposalGPS Disposal

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International Debris Mitigation DocumentsSpace debris recognized as an international problem

• European Code of Conduct (ECoC) for Space Debris Mitigation– Consistent with IADC guidelines

• Requirements on Space Mitigation for Agency Projects (ESA)– Based on ECoC

• ESA Space Debris Mitigation Handbook– In depth information on mitigation practices

• National Guidelines (all consistent with IADC guidelines)– National Regulations or Mitigation Principles (France, Germany)

• Based on ECoC– Japanese National Guidelines– Chinese National Guidelines– National Standard of the Russian Federation for Space Debris Mitigation

(Russia) (2009)

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US National Space PolicyReleased 28 June 2010

• Significantly expanded emphasis on space debris• Includes entire section “Preserving the space environment and the

responsible use of space” on debris issues• Requires compliance with US Standard Practices for Orbital Debris

Mitigation• “Strengthen stability in space through: domestic and

international measures to promote safe and responsible operations in space; improved information collection and sharing for space object collision avoidance; … and strengthening measures to mitigate orbital debris.”

National Space Policy: Goals

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Guidance for Space Debris ManagementChanging as we speak…

• National Space Policy cites need to comply with U.S. Government Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices (USDM)– USDM being revised to incorporate latest guidance from IADC on GEO

disposal • DoDD 3100.10, Space Policy, in revision• DoDI 3100.12, Space Support, in revision; held for DoDD 3100.10• AFI 91-201, The USAF Mishap Prevention Program, its AFSPC

Sup 1, and AFMAN 91-701, Launch Safety Program Policy, will require revision upon release of USDM, DoDD 3100.10 and DoDI 3100.12

• AFI 91-217, Space Safety and Mishap Prevention Program, in revision

• NASA-STD-8719.14, NASA Safety Standard

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Guidance for Space Debris Management (cont.)Some good news

• Available documents:– Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee Mitigation (IADC)

Guidelines and Support Document to the IADC Mitigation Guidelines– NASA STD 8719.14 (with Change 4), Process for Limiting Orbital Debris– NASA-Handbook 8719.14, Handbook for Limiting Orbital Debris– Strategic Command Instructions– Space and Missile systems Center (SMC) Instructions– Space and Missile systems Center (SMC) Standards

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ISO Standards for Space Debris MitigationStandards development

• Non-governmental federation of national standards bodies of 149 countries

• Develops standards in partnership with potential users• Orbital Debris Coordination Working Group established in 2003• Several debris related standards projects established

– Mitigating space debris– Disposal of satellites operating at geosynchronous altitude– Prevention of break-up of unmanned spacecraft

• Provide guidance for manufacturers and operators on best practices that lead to compliance with debris mitigation goals

• Provide satellite owner with assurance that satellites comply with national and international regulations and requirements

• Release of international standards expected over next several years

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Summary

• Space debris is a growing problem• Low-earth orbit generally has the greatest risk• Debris environment is expected to worsen even with no additional

launches• Debris mitigation is an international issue• Many nations are addressing problem• IADC acts as main international forum for international debris

cooperation• US practices are evolving• Overall mitigation is more effective the earlier it is implemented

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© The Aerospace Corporation 2011

Space Debris & Debris Mitigation

Marlon SorgeThe Aerospace Corporation

AIAA Improving Space Operations Workshop5 April 2011