Effects on the orbital debris environment due to solar activityThe rate that earth-orbiting debris is removed from the environment is dependent on a number of factors which include orbital altitude and solar activity. It is generally believed that at lower altitudes and especially during periods of high solar activity, debris generated in the past will be eliminated from the environment. While some debris is eliminated, most is replaced by old debris from higher altitudes or new debris from recent launches. Some low altitude debris, which would reenter if the debris were in circular orbits, does not reenter because the debris is in higher-energy elliptical orbits.
Document ID
19900032622
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Kessler, Donald J. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Anz-Meador, Phillip D. (Lockheed Engineering and Sciences Co. Houston, TX, United States)