Spacecraft Collision Avoidance Technology

Zhang Rongzhi, Yang Kaizhong

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9780128182413
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Aeronautic & Astronautic Engineering
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Spacecraft Collision Avoidance Technology presents the theory and practice of space collision avoidance. The title gives models of time and space environment, their impact on high-precision orbit prediction, considers optimal orbit determination methods and models in different warning stages, and establishes basic models for warning and avoidance. Chapters present an outline of spacecraft collision warning strategy, elaborate on the basics of orbital calculation for collision avoidance, consider space object detection technology, detail space environment and object orbit, give a method for spacecraft collision warning orbit calculation, and finally, demonstrate a strategy for spacecraft collision warning and avoidance.

• Presents strategies, methods and real-world examples relating to space collision avoidance
• Considers time and space environment models in orbit prediction
• Gives optimal orbit determination methods and models for various warning stages
• Establishes and elaborates basic models for warning and avoidance
• Takes note of the current space environment for object detection and collision avoidance

1

Outline of spacecraft collision warning

Abstract

Since the launch of the first satellite in 1957, the total number of space object has reached the order of 10 millions, and the gross mass is up to 10,000 tons, according to statistical analysis. Up to February 24, 2016, the number of space objects whose diameter is about subsquare-decimeter and can be tracked on the ground is 17,552 in total (from NASA public two-line element data, excluding classified satellites of the United States and its allies). All the space objects, whose diameters are less than subsquare-decimeter fall into the category of space debris. Of the objects larger than subsquare-decimeter, the number of active spacecraft with intact shape is less than 2000, and other 15,000 objects are also space debris, or space junk. It can be seen that space debris constitutes the majority of space objects and the number is still growing. Fig. 1–1 shows the progressive increment of space objects tracked from the ground since 1957 to the present. As depicted in the figure, the number of space objects, especially that of space debris, is increasing at an astonishing speed, in particular, after critical space collisions such as the collision of the US satellite and the Russian satellite on February 11, 2009.

Keywords

Space objects; space debris; trackable space objects; collision prediction; intensive observations; spacecraft collision

1.1 Distribution and characteristics of space objects

Since the launch of the first satellite in 1957, the total number of space object has reached the order of 10 millions, and the gross mass is up to 10,000 tons, according to statistical analysis. Up to February 24, 2016, the number of space objects whose diameter is about subsquare-decimeter and can be tracked on the ground is 17,552 in total [from NASA public two-line element (TLE) data, excluding classified satellites of the United States and its allies]. All the space objects, whose diameters are less than subsquare-decimeter fall into the category of space debris. Of the objects larger than subsquare-decimeter, the number of active spacecraft with intact shape is less than 2000, and other 15,000 objects are also space debris, or space junk. It can be seen that space debris constitutes the majority of space objects and the number is still growing. Fig. 1–1 shows the progressive increment of space objects tracked from the ground since 1957 to the present. As depicted in the figure, the number of space objects, especially that of space debris, is increasing at an astonishing speed, in particular, after critical space collisions such as the collision of the US satellite and the Russian satellite on February 11, 2009.

Figure 1–1 Increment of trackable space objects.

Although active spacecraft are not the major component of space objects, they play an increasingly important role in today’s information society and are deployed into various orbits according to different applications. Fig. 1–2 shows the distribution of spacecraft in space around the Earth. From Fig. 1–2 the space over the altitude of 36,000 and below 2000 km above the equator is the main ...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• 1. Outline of spacecraft collision warning
• 2. Basics of orbital calculation for spacecraft collision avoidance
• 3. Space object detection technology
• 4. Space environment and object orbit
• 5. Spacecraft collision warning orbit calculation method
• 6. Spacecraft collision warning and avoidance strategy
• References
• Index