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Rings of earthSmall particles moving at an orbital velocity of 7.6 kilometers per second can present a considerable hazard to human activity in space. For astronauts outside of the protective shielding of their space vehicles, such particles can be lethal. The powerful radar at NASA's Goldstone Deep Communications Complex was used to monitor such orbital debris. This radar can detect metallic objects as small as 1.8 mm in diameter at 600 km altitude. The results of the preliminary survey show a flux (at 600 km altitude) of 6.4 objects per square kilometer per day of equivalent size of 1.8 mm or larger. Forty percent of the observed particles appear to be concentrated into two orbits. An orbital ring with the same inclination as the radar (35.1 degrees) is suggested. However, an orbital band with a much higher inclination (66 degrees) is also a possibility.
Document ID
19920063413
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Goldstein, Richard M.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Randolph, L. W.
(JPL Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques
Volume: 40
Issue: 6 Ju
ISSN: 0018-9480
Subject Category
Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command And Tracking
Accession Number
92A46037
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 906-76-40-43-01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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