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Characterization of the breakup of the Pegasus rocket body 1994-029BThe breakup of a Pegasus hydrazine auxiliary propulsion system in June 1996, officially recognized as the worst satellite breakup in terms of cataloged debris, is considered. The fragmentation event is analyzed and it is discussed how these debris contribute to the current and future near earth space environment. The low altitude of the breakup and the large range of ejection velocities present concerns for other earth orbiting space vehicles, especially the Space Shuttle and the Hubble Space Telescope. In addition to orbit data collected by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network, observations were conducted with ground-based radar observatories. These observations show that the overabundance of debris is not limited to the trackable population, but also extends down to debris with sizes of less than 1 cm. Attempts to detect the debris with optical sensors were less successful.
Document ID
19980005930
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Matney, Mark
(Lockheed Martin Space Mission Systems and Services Houston, TX United States)
Settecerri, Tom
(Lockheed Martin Space Mission Systems and Services Houston, TX United States)
Johnson, Nicholas
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX United States)
Stansbery, Eugene
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX United States)
Date Acquired
August 17, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1997
Subject Category
Astronautics (General)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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