Effects of CubeSat Deployments in Low-Earth OrbitLong-term models, such as NASA's LEGEND (LEO-to- GEO Environment Debris) model, are used to make predictions about how space activities will affect the manner in which the debris environment evolves over time. Part of this process predicts how spacecraft and rocket bodies will be launched and remain in the future environment. This has usually been accomplished by repeating past launch history to simulate future launches. The NASA Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO) has conducted a series of LEGEND computations to investigate the long-term effects of adding CubeSats to the environment. These results are compared to a baseline "business-as-usual" scenario where launches are assumed to continue as in the past without major CubeSat deployments. Using these results, we make observations about the continued use of the 25-year rule and the importance of the universal application of postmission disposal.
Document ID
20170003837
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Matney, Mark (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Vavrin, Andrew (Jacobs Technology, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Manis, Alyssa (Jacobs Technology, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
April 21, 2017
Publication Date
April 18, 2017
Subject Category
Space Transportation And SafetySpacecraft Design, Testing And Performance