Flux calculation using population event clouds
- Paper number
IAC-11,A6,2,16,x10790
- Author
Dr. Carsten Wiedemann, Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Sven Kevin Flegel, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Johannes Gelhaus, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Marek Moeckel, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Vitali Braun, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Holger Krag, European Space Agency (ESA), Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Heiner Klinkrad, European Space Agency (ESA), Germany
- Coauthor
Prof. Peter Voersmann, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany
- Year
2011
- Abstract
MASTER (Meteoroid and Space Debris Terrestrial Environment Reference) is the European model to map the particulate environment on Earth orbits. The purpose of the upgraded version MASTER-2009 is the realistic description of the natural and the man-made particulate environment of the Earth and the risk assessment via flux predictions on user defined target orbits. The incident flux is described down to impactor diameters of 1 μm. In this work, particle flux contributions of individual events are investigated. In the recent past, there have been several break-ups which had a significant impact on the number of space debris objects. For certain reference missions it is shown how much selected single events have contributed to the particle flux. The fragmentation events by Feng-Yun 1C, Briz-M, and the Iridium-33 Cosmos 2251 collision are treated in detail. The destruction of the Feng-Yun 1C satellite in an orbit of 850 km, has contributed in a significant manner to the existing space debris population. Thereby also the risk of collision for satellite missions has increased in this orbital altitude. The collision between an operational satellite of the Iridium constellation and a decommissioned satellite of the type Strela-2M, called Cosmos 2251, occurred in 790 km altitude. During the collision, two debris clouds were produced which have spread around the earth and increased the number of space debris objects. Both events took place in orbit altitudes, where the spatial density is already very high. The explosion of the Briz-M upper stage led to the production of a large number of fragments on highly eccentric orbits. The mass of the Briz-M upper stage was relatively high. Most explosions involved objects with significantly lower masses. This specific event represents an exception to common explosion events.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
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