Characterizing GEO Titan IIIC Transtage Fragmentations Using Ground-based and Telescopic Measurements

Heather Cowardin, University of Texas-El Paso—Jacobs JETS Contract, NASA Johnson Space Center, Phillip Anz-Meador, Jacobs, NASA Johnson Space Center, Jacqueline A. Reyes, University of Texas-El Paso—Jacobs JETS Contract, NASA Johnson Space Center

Keywords: Spectroscopy, Titan Transtage, GEO fragmentation, laboratory measurements

Abstract:

In a continued effort to better characterize the geosynchronous orbit (GEO) environment, NASA’s Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO) utilizes various ground-based optical assets to acquire photometric and spectral data of known debris associated with fragmentations in or near GEO. The Titan IIIC Transtage upper stage is known to have fragmented four times. Two of the four fragmentations were in GEO while the Transtage fragmented a third time in GEO transfer orbit. The forth fragmentation occurred in low Earth orbit.

Date of Conference: September 19-22, 2017

Track: Orbital Debris

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