Patrick Seitzer, University of Michigan; Adam Kall, Kall Morris Inc; Austin Morris, Kall Morris Inc; Troy Morris, Kall Morris Inc; Corinne Moore, Kall Morris Inc
Keywords: ADR, debris, rocket bodies, policy
Abstract:
The ORBITS Act of 2023 (S.447) [1] which passed the Senate called for the generation and maintenance of a list of debris objects which pose immediate risk to other satellites. We present an updated catalog of such objects that have been launched by the US. We limit the catalog to US launched objects because international treaties from UNOOSA establish that the launching country maintains responsibility for it. Thus, it is simplest for initial Active Debris Removal (ADR) missions from the US to work on such objects. The catalog is a dynamic catalog, requiring regular updates to include new launches and possible disposal of current objects. This presentation updates the catalog of 198 US rocket bodies in LEO with apogees less than 2000 km presented at the IOC 2023 [2] now to include all rocket bodies, payloads, and debris objects with large radar cross sections, and orbital elements current within the last 30 days of the date of analysis. Our analysis now includes the probability of reentry in the next 5-10 years which could present a risk to the ground. Such objects should be priority targets for initial US based ADR missions. We compare the updated catalog with the sample of 50 most dangerous objects in LEO presented by McKnight, et al. [3] [4].
1. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/447
2. Seitzer, P., et al. Catalog of US Launched Objects for Active Debris Removal Missions, paper
presented at the 2nd International Orbital Debris Conference, Sugarland, Texas, November 2023.
3. McKnight, D., et al. Identifying the 50 statistically-most-concerning derelict objects in LEO, Acta Astronautica, vol. 181, pp. 282-291, 2021.
4. McKnight, D., et al. A Map of the Statistical Collision Risk in LEO, paper presented at the 73rd International Astronautical Congress, Paris, France, IAC-22-A6.2, x67913, 2022.
Date of Conference: September 17-20, 2024
Track: Space Debris