DID YOU KNOW? DTIC has over 3.5 million final reports on DoD funded research, development, test, and evaluation activities available to our registered users. Click
HERE to register or log in.
Accession Number:
ADA235257
Title:
The Effects of Space Debris on Solar Propulsion
Descriptive Note:
Final rept. Jun-Jul 1990
Corporate Author:
PHILLIPS LAB EDWARDS AFB CA
Report Date:
1991-03-01
Pagination or Media Count:
37.0
Abstract:
This research sought to determine the impact of space debris on solar propulsion for orbital transfer missions from low Earth Orbit LEO to Geosynchronous Earth Orbit GEO. Orbital debris is a major concern because the present solar propulsion development calls for two 40 X 30 meter inflatable concentrators which present a large area for space debris impact. The initial questions to be researched were 1 How much extra inflationary gas will be required to make up for meteoroid and artificial space debris leaks and 2 What is the probability of a catastrophic collision with the concentrators Numerous debris models and many assumptions were used to calculate answers for these questions, but overall the inflatable reflectors were judged to be a plausible concept. It is plausible in that the amount of helium inflatent needed to keep the concentrators rigid is an acceptable weight 12 lbm. Also the probability of a catastrophic collision for a 40 day mission is minimal 0.1. Further research and computer simulation is needed to better define the man-made debris distribution for elliptical transfer orbits due to their constant changing altitude.
Distribution Statement:
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE