Dynamical mapping of the LEO region for passive disposal design

Paper number

IAC-17,A6,2,7,x38929

Author

Dr. Elisa Maria Alessi, IFAC-CNR, Italy

Coauthor

Dr. Giulia Schettino, IFAC-CNR, Italy

Coauthor

Dr. Alessandro Rossi, IFAC-CNR, Italy

Coauthor

Dr. Giovanni Valsecchi, INAF-IAPS, Italy

Year

2017

Abstract

We present the results obtained within the H2020 ReDSHIFT project on the
dynamical characterization of the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) region. An extended
simulation campaign has been performed in order to recognize the dynamical
highways that can be exploited for the design of passive disposal strategies.
The LEO region has been mapped in terms of semi-major axis, eccentricity, and
inclination, by propagating for 120 years a dense grid of initial conditions
including quasi-circular up to eccentric orbits, with semi-major axes up to
3000 km in altitude, prograde and retrograde inclinations, 16 combinations of
longitude of ascending node and argument of pericenter. For each set of initial 
conditions, two initial epochs and two values of area-to-mass ratio were considered. 

The outcome reveals the existence of resonant corridors due to either lunisolar
perturbations or solar radiation pressure, which can be used in combination
with the atmospheric drag to achieve reentry. The study identified also the
main frequencies associated with the orbital elements. Their role is
catalogued as a function of semi-major axis and inclination, according to the
physical perturbation they correspond to. 

This information can be exploited, in the long-term simulations of the LEO 
environment, to devise optimal mitigation scenarios, minimizing the 
$\Delta$V requirements to comply with a given residual lifetime of the spacecraft.

This work is funded through the European Commission Horizon 2020, Framework
Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020), under the ReDSHIFT project
(grant agreement n. 687500).

Abstract document

IAC-17,A6,2,7,x38929.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-17,A6,2,7,x38929.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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