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Near Term Effects from Satellite Break-Ups on Manned Space ActivitiesSince 1961, almost 160 satellite break-ups have occurred on-orbit, and have been the major contributor to the growth of the orbital debris population. When a satellite breaks up, the debris exists in a relatively concentrated form, orbiting in a loose cloud with the parent body until orbital perturbations disperse the cloud into the average background. Manned space activities, which usually take place in low Earth orbit at altitudes less than 500 km, have been continuous for the past I I years while Mir was inhabited and promise to be again continuous when the International Space Station becomes permanently manned. This paper surveys historical breakups over the last I I years to determine the number that affect altitudes lower than 500 km. Selected breakup are analyzed using NASA's Satellite Breakup Risk Assessment Model (SBRAM) to determine the specific short term risk from those breakups to manned missions.
Document ID
20000085934
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Theall, J. R.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX United States)
Matney, M. J.
(Lockheed Martin Space Operations Houston, TX United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2000
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Meeting Information
Meeting: 38th Aerospace Sciences Meeting
Location: Reno, NV
Country: United States
Start Date: January 10, 2000
End Date: January 13, 2000
Sponsors: American Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 250-20-02-10
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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