10.2514/6.2020-0730">
 

Fractionated spacecraft survivability following a catastrophic explosion

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-6-2020

Abstract

The concept of spacecraft fractionation has provided an enhanced potential for mission utility, cost, and performance with respect to traditional, monolithic spacecraft architectures. By dividing a spacecraft into separate functional modules within a close-proximity formation, fractionation permits the incremental replacement of individual modules rather than the entire space system. However, a formation of fractionated spacecraft modules still features many of the same risks as traditional, such as the possibility of an onboard catastrophic mishap. This research looks at the mission survivability of a fractionated formation in a variety of orbital regimes assuming a battery explosion aboard one of the constituent spacecraft modules. Specifically, the probability of debris impact arising from the explosion will be determined for the formation based on relative formation distance, formation configuration, and orbital altitude. Also, the magnitude of the explosion and the resultant fragmentation debris will seed vulnerability analysis to determine the likelihood of survivability for the remaining fractionated spacecraft.

Comments

This conference paper is published by AIAA and is available by subscription or purchase at the DOI link below.

Conference Session: Survivability - Orbital Debris Issues

Source Publication

AIAA Scitech 2020 Forum

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