Modelling of Debris Impacts and Resulting Particle Releases in ESA MASTER

Paper number

IAC-05-B6.2.03

Author

Mr. Sebastian Stabroth, Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Heiner Klinkrad, European Space Agency/ESOC, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Michael Oswald, Institute of Aerospace Systems, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Peter Voersmann, Institute of Aerospace Systems, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Carsten Wiedemann, Institute of Aerospace Systems, Germany

Year

2005

Abstract

The impact of a debris particle on an orbiting target surface usually occurs at very high velocities. In the course of such hypervelocity impact events, further debris objects are generated in the form of so called ejecta. In contrast to other debris sources, ejecta are thus caused by space debris itself.

The character of ejecta particles as a secondary debris source together with their nearly continuous generation requires a different modelling approach as compared to event driven source terms. Instead of an event database, information on the on-orbit target area as well as on the quality and quantity of the debris flux at different historic epochs is needed as input to the model. Both are covered by ESA's MASTER space debris model. The number and orbital distribution of the targets is derived from the Launch/Mission Related Object (LMRO) population and the past background flux is calculated by the model's ANALYST debris flux browser. The ejecta model itself is based on work performed by UNISPACE KENT in the frame of an ESA contract. The model was implemented and adapted to the MASTER environment.

The paper describes the implemented modelling approach along with a validation against impact measurements. The model runs in a time loop using annual TLE snapshots from the LMRO population. This way it is possible to account for impacts and release events on already orbiting as well as newly added satellites and upper stages. The paper closes with a description of the orbital distribution of the resulting ejecta population.

The presented ejecta model implementation is going to be used by the MASTER-2005 space debris model which is currently under development by the Institute of Aerospace Systems and QinetiQ (UK) under ESA contract.

Abstract document

IAC-05-B6.2.03.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-B6.2.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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