Validation of the ESA-MASTER-2009 space debris population
- Paper number
IAC-10.A6.2.1
- Author
Mr. Johannes Gelhaus, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Sven Kevin Flegel, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Marek Moeckel, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Carsten Wiedemann, Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Sebastian Stabroth, EADS Astrium Satellites, Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Michael Oswald, EADS Astrium, Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Holger Krag, European Space Agency (ESA), Germany
- Coauthor
Prof.Dr. Heiner Klinkrad, European Space Agency (ESA), Germany
- Coauthor
Prof. Peter Voersmann, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany
- Year
2010
- Abstract
MASTER-2009 will be the new orbital debris reference model of the European Space Agency. It was developed by the Institute of Aerospace Systems at the Technische Universität of Braunschweig. The model is based on the simulation of events and processes through which orbital debris is created. The majority of the debris generation mechanisms implemented in MASTER have been reviewed in the course of the project. Also a new model to consider objects with very high area-to-mass ratios has been implemented. The validation for debris objects larger than 1 mm was based on observation data gathered by the TIRA, EISCAT, Goldstone, and Haystack radars and the ESA Space Debris Telescope (ESA-SDT). The PROOF validation tool (Program for Radar and Optical Observation Forecasting) has been used to simulate detections of orbital debris based on the analysis of geometrical and instrument parameters. The simulations were performed based on the observation scenarios of the actual surveys and the results were compared with survey results. In this paper, the results of this population generation mechanism will be presented. New ESA-SDT data was used to further refine the simulation of the GEO object population. In MASTER-2005, in addition to the known fragmentations of the Ekran-2 satellite and the Titan 3C Transtage, 8 artificial breakups had been introduced in order to accomplish an agreement of PROOF simulations with measurement data. These artificial events have been reviewed since the release of MASTER-2005 and have been updated for MASTER-2009. Also the LEO event list has been reviewed and additional events have been introduced (e.g. Feng-Yun) and existing ones have been updated. Small particle validation was performed based on returned space hardware impact data. The solar arrays of the Hubble Space Telescope returned by the Space Shuttle on missions STS-61 and STS-109, the EURECA satellite, and the Long Duration Exposure Facility are sources for impact data.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-10.A6.2.1.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.