10.2514/6.2021-0102">
 

Cislunar Debris Propagation Following a Catastrophic Spacecraft Mishap

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-2021

Abstract

This research involves theoretical analysis of the short- and long-term motion of space debris in cislunar trajectories following a spacecraft catastrophic mishap. Specifically, the research formulates a debris propagation model using four-body dynamics and determines debris trajectories following breakup events for a variety of different initial orbital positions. A spacecraft survivability model is then used to quantify the risks from the debris to other cislunar spacecraft. Three cislunar debris case studies are examined, which include catastrophic spacecraft mishaps during an Apollo-like Earth-Moon transfer, during a transfer between L1 and Earth along the L1 manifold, and at the stable Lagrange points L4 and L5. Risks to current operational spacecraft near Earth were found to be greatest for the Apollo-like transfer case study, and slight risks to spacecraft in cislunar orbits were found for the other case studies. Overall, research into cislunar debris propagation will enhance operational planning outside the traditional near-Earth paradigm of spacecraft mission operations and increase understanding of the debris-related consequences of mishaps within this orbital regime.

Comments

This conference paper is available from the AIAA through subscription or purchase using the DOI link below.

AIAA paper 2021-0102

Conference Session: Survivability at Scale - from Sub-Structural to Interplanetary

Source Publication

AIAA Scitech 2021 Forum

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