H. Cowardin, JETS/Jacobs, P.Seitzer, (Department of Astronomy, University of Michigan) , K. Abercromby, (Aerospace Engineering Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo) , E. Barker, (LZ Technology, Inc), B. Buckalew, T. Cardona, (University of Bologna, Italy), P. Krisko, S. Lederer, (NASA/JSC)
Keywords: Space debris, GEO, Titan break-up, photometry, spectroscopy
Abstract:
The fragmentation of a Titan IIIC Transtage (1968-081) on 21 February 1992 is one of only two known break-ups in or near geosynchronous orbit. The original rocket body and 24 pieces of debris are currently being tracked by the U. S. Space Surveillance Network (SSN). The rocket body (SSN# 3432) and several of the original fragments (SSN# 25000, 25001, 30000, and 33511) were observed in survey mode during 2004-2010 using the 0.6 m Michigan Orbital DEbris Survey Telescope (MODEST) in Chile using a broad R filter. This paper presents a size distribution for all calibrated magnitude data acquired on MODEST. Size distribution plots are also shown using historical models for small fragmentation debris (down to 10 cm) thought to be associated with the Titan Transtage break-up.
Date of Conference: September 10-13, 2013
Track: Orbital Debris