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Management of the orbital environmentData regarding orbital debris are presented to shed light on the requirements of environmental management in space, and strategies are given for active intervention and operational strategies. Debris are generated by inadvertent explosions of upper stages, intentional military explosions, and collisional breakups. Design and operation practices are set forth for minimizing debris generation and removing useless debris from orbit in the low-earth and geosynchronous orbits. Self-disposal options include propulsive maneuvers, drag-augmentation devices, and tether systems, and the drag devices are described as simple and passive. Active retrieval and disposition are considered, and the difficulty is examined of removing small debris. Active intervention techniques are required since pollution prevention is more effective than remediation for the problems of both earth and space.
Document ID
19920035952
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Loftus, Joseph P., Jr.
(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Kessler, Donald J.
(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Anz-Meador, Phillip D.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1991
Subject Category
Astronautics (General)
Report/Patent Number
IAF PAPER 91-590
Accession Number
92A18576
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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