Space Junk by Gaurav Arya

SPACE JUNK
BY ;
GAURAV ARYA
110933238
Aeronautical
Engineering
CONTENTS
1) I ntroduction

2)Types of orbits

3) Sources of J unk

4) Tracking and Measurement of J unk

5) Clearance of space J unk

6) References

WHAT ARE SPACE JUNK ?
Space Junk , also known as orbital Junk ,
and space waste , is the collection of defunct
objects in orbit around Earth.

This includes everything from spent rocket
stages , old satellites , fragments from
disintegration , erosion and collision.
WHY ARE THEY A THREAT ?
Junk poses a growing threat to satellites and
could prevent the use of valuable orbits in the
future.

Many pieces of Junk are too small to monitor
but too large to shield satellites against.
TYPES OF
ORBITS :

1. Low Earth
Orbit
2. Medium Earth
Orbit
3. Geostationary
Orbit
4. High Earth
Orbit

Low Earth Orbit :

Situated at an altitude between 160km and 2000km from Earths surface.

It has a time period of about 127 minutes.

Objects below approx. 160km will experience very rapid orbital decay and
altitude loss.

It is the simplest and most cost effective orbit for a satellite placement.

Currently , NASA tracks more than 8,500 objects larger than 10 cm in LEO.

Medium Earth
Orbit :

Situated from 2000 km to
36,000 km above Earths
surface.

The most common use for
satellites in this region is for
navigation , communication
and space environment
science.

Has an orbital period of 12
hours .
Geostationary
Earth Orbit :

It is a circular orbit at 35,786 km
above Earths surface and following the
Earths rotation .

An object in such an orbit has an
orbital period equal to the Earths
rotational period .

This makes them useful for
communications , as receiver on Earth
can always point in the same direction.
High Earth
Orbit :

Situated at above 36,000 km.

Little used by satellites .

Orbital periods of such orbits are greater than 24 hours.

Junk in LEO :
Satellites in LEO are in many different orbital planes
providing global coverage and the 15 orbits per day
typical of LEO satellites result in frequent approaches
between object pairs.

After space Junk is created , the orbital planes
direction will change over time , and thus collisions
can occur from virtually any direction . This leads to a
cascading effect.
Junk at higher altitudes :

At higher altitudes , where atmospheric drag is less significant , orbital
decay takes much longer .

This issue is especially problematic in the valuable GEO orbits where
satellites are often clustered to share the same orbital paths .

It has been estimated that at least one close approach ( within 50 metres )
takes place every year .

On a positive note , relative velocities in GEO are low , compared to LEO
(about 1.5 kmps ).

This means that the Junk field from such a collision will not have the
drastic effects as that of LEO , atleast over a short term .
SOURCES OF Junk :

Dead spacecrafts

Boosters

Lost equipment
Tracking of J unk :
Radar and optical detectors such as LIDAR are the main
tools used for tracking space Junk.

Radio waves have been recently used. These waves are
transmitted into space and they bounce off of space junk
back to the origin that will detect and track the object.

Ground based radar facilities and space telescopes are
also used to track the Junk.
Measurement of J unk :
Returned hardware of space Junk is a valuable source of information
of the environment .

Close examination of its surfaces allows an analysis of the
directional distribution and composition of the Junk flux .

Some of the modules used were :

LDEF (Long duration exposure facility ) satellite
EURECA ( European Retrievable carrier )
STS-61 Endeavour
STS-109 Columbia
CLEARANCE OF SPACE Junk
Some methods are :

Tug-like satellites

Electro dynamic tethers

Laser brooms

Solar sails

Space nets and collectors

Tug-like satellites :

The tug like satellites drag the Junk to a safe altitude in
order for it to burn up in the atmosphere .

It creates an electron emission to create a difference in
potential between the Junk as negative and itself as
positive .

The satellite then uses its own thrusters to propel itself
along with the Junk to a safer orbit .
Laser brooms :
The laser broom uses a powerful ground based laser to ablate the
front surface off of Junk and thereby produce a rocket like thrust that
slows the object .

With continued application the Junk will eventually decrease their
altitude enough to become subject to atmospheric drag .

Additionally , the momentum of photons in the laser beam could be
used to impart thrust on the Junk directly.

The current technology used is the Hydrogen fluoride chemical
energy powered laser.
contd

Although this thrust would be tiny , it may be enough to
move small Junk into new orbits that do not intersect those
of working satellites.
Solar sails :
The Solar sails uses the pressure
from sunlight to navigate an object,
just like a naval sail uses wind.

This way Junk can be navigated
out of orbit and burn into the
atmosphere.

The only problem with the solar
sail is that its very hard to navigate
the junk into the ocean and hence
might be pretty dangerous.
Space nets :
Space nets or
umbrellas are
satellites which
eject a huge net
that fishes or
collects the Junk
and is later
disposed off into a
graveyard orbit .

Collector
satellites :
The most
commonly used
collector satellite
is the Sling Sat .

It has two
extended arms
which collect the
Junk as it is in
motion .
REFERENCE :
Donald Kessler (Kessler 1981), "Sources of Orbital Junk
and the Projected Environment for Future Spacecraft

www.wikipedia.com

www.nasa.gov

www.isro.org

www.nationalgeographic.com

QUESTIONS?????
Thank you

Space Junk by Gaurav Arya

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Space Junk by Gaurav Arya

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Space Junk by Gaurav Arya

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

SPACE JUNK

You might also like