Elizabeth Campa, University of Florida; Rafael Carrasquilla, University of Florida; Norman Fitz-Coy, University of Florida
Keywords: Low earth orbit satellite, orbital debris engineering models, space debris
Abstract:
Advances in technology lead to advancements in the population of satellites orbiting the Earth and other celestial bodies. Whether for telecommunication, space exploration, or other purposes, it is predicted that the number of satellites in orbit will increase by four (4) times the amount of the past decade. As these advances continue to increase the risk of orbital collisions, the need for understanding of these incidents has become more important than ever. As a joint effort between the NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, US Space Force Space System Command (USSF SSC, formerly USAF SMC), The Aerospace Corporation and the University of Florida, the DebriSat project was created to simulate and study the results of an in-orbit hypervelocity impact collision with a craft representative of modern low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The post-collision remains of the test article and soft-catch arena panels used to capture resulting debris, were collected, and sent for characterization analysis at the University of Florida.
The resulting data will be used by NASA ODPO, to update previous orbital debris engineering models for the purposes of increasing space situational awareness in the hopes of guiding future space-related policies and improving preparation for future incidents involving space debris.
The UF-obtained debris characterization data includes metrics such as materials, shape, size, mass, characteristic length (LC), area-to-mass ratio (AMR), and average cross-sectional area (ACSA) for each debris fragment. In addition to this, several imaging systems are used to facilitate (i) measurement acquisition, (ii) provide pictures of individual debris fragments, (iii) provide 3D models of debris with a minimum dimension greater than 3 mm, and (iv) facilitate extraction of debris embedded within the soft-catch arena panels, and panel remains. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to provide a general overview of data collection methods, status of debris characterization efforts, changes in debris processing priorities, and procedural modifications aimed at increasing processing efficiency by student technicians. Furthermore, due to the pandemic caused by COVID-19, the significance of having updated procedures outlining current priorities has changed. Due to unexpected shutdowns and a reduction of personnel, clarity has become of highest value. There is a constant influx of new student technicians and there are few original members, making it difficult to pass down all the details collected through experience, increasing the need to maintain the procedures up to date. Moreover, due to the time lost from shutdowns and hiring new personnel, a shift in priorities involving an emphasis on fragments greater than 10 mm has taken place. Student technicians have been instructed to continue the collection of all fragments with a priority on those greater than 10mm, separating the ones in the 2-10 mm range for later processing. This, combined with the low priority for the analysis of carbon-fiber reinforced polymer needles due to there being sufficient data collected for those subjects, ensures the efficiency of the project is at a high. Additionally, it will outline changes, challenges, and lessons learned, with regards to the replacement of the X-ray unit used in detection of embedded debris within the soft-catch arena panels, from a medical X-ray unit to a government-surplus airport luggage X-ray scanner.
Date of Conference: September 27-20, 2022
Track: Space Debris