Results of GEO space debris studies in 2004-2005

Paper number

IAC-06-B6.1.12

Author

Dr. Vladimir Agapov, Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, RAS, Russia

Coauthor

Dr. Thomas Schildknecht, Astronomical Institute University of Bern (AIUB), Switzerland

Coauthor

Dr. Efraim Akim, Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, RAS, Russia

Coauthor

Dr. Igor Molotov, Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, RAS, Russia

Coauthor

Dr. Vladimir Titenko, Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, RAS, Russia

Coauthor

Dr. Vasiliy Yurasov, Space Informatics Analytical Systems JSC, Russia

Year

2006

Abstract

Real GEO population estimation is a valuable task that should be solved in order to obtain reliable figures for varying in time objects density in this area of the near-Earth space. Key element of this task is maintenance of an accurate orbital archive for maximal possible number of objects. Current sources of orbital information for GEO region are incomplete both for faint and bright objects. To fill the existed gaps optical facilities of Russian scientific optical network leading by the Center on collection, processing and analysis of information on space debris at the Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics (KIAM RAS, Moscow) and Main (Pulkovo) Astronomical Observatory (GAO RAS, St. Petersburg)  in collaboration with Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern, optical network supported by Observatory Sciences company and observatories in CIS countries have made observations aimed at discovering and tracking unknown GEO objects, determining their precise orbits, some physical properties, estimating orbit evolution taking into account all essential perturbation effects, studying possible origin of these objects and their distribution in space by various parameters.
To date, a long series of observations have been obtained for more than 100 unknown objects. A lot more object have been tracking only on relatively short time intervals. Many of discovered objects have been correlated with earlier tracked ones so archive of measurements have been processed in order to obtain longer measurement arc for orbital solution. For all observed objects estimates of orbital parameters as well as area-to-mass ratio have been made using numerical propagator developed by KIAM and KIAS. Estimation of area-to-mass ratio (AMR) is based on estimation of solar pressure coefficient. Orbital elements for many of discovered objects had been published in the recent issue of ESOC “GEO Classification of Geosynchronous Objects”.
The paper presents a detailed description of obtained results, analysis of spatial distribution and AMR ratio distribution for observed objects, along with orbital parameters and their accuracy estimation. Standard brightness estimation results are also discussed.

Abstract document

IAC-06-B6.1.12.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-B6.1.12.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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