10.2514/6.2023-2287">
 

Debris Risk Assessment for Mega-Constellations in Low and Medium Earth Orbit Due to Satellite Breakup During Orbit Raising Maneuver

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-23-2023

Abstract

The theoretical analysis of mega-constellations in low Earth orbit (LEO) and medium Earth orbit (MEO), and the potential risk posed to these constellations due to a debris field generated during an orbit raising maneuver is presented. The example mega-constellations are based on current telecommunications mega-constellations, such as Starlink and OneWeb. The LEO mega-constellation comprises 750 satellites and the MEO constellation comprises of 150 satellites, with the satellites spatially positioned using the Walker-Delta design. This analysis is based on physics-based digital mission engineering and a Monte Carlo simulation framework. The Monte Carlo simulation will feature debris originating from the single breakup of a satellite performing an orbit raising maneuver, post launch-vehicle separation, in transit to its mission orbit. Cascading debris events will not be considered in this simulation. Based on the results of simulations, debris risk calculation of probability of catastrophic collision computed and compared for both LEO and MEO mega-constellations.

Comments

Conference Session: Space Environments and Effects V

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Source Publication

AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum

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