1. The Orbital Debris and Micrometeoroid Environment – An Overview
Presented to:
The Sixth DoD Astrometry Forum
Presented by:
Michael L. Fudge,
ITT Industries, Advanced Engineering & Sciences Division
December 6, 2000
Washington, DC

2. Presentation Topics Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris Environment
Population images
Catalog composition and spatial density
Growth
Regulation/Mitigation Measures
Summary of US Government policies
Other mitigation measures
Effect on Growth

3. Low Earth Orbit Satellite Population
Image courtesy of:
Nicholas Johnson, NASA JSC

4. Total Earth Satellite Population
Image courtesy of:
Nicholas Johnson, NASA JSC

5. Composition of Satellite Catalog
OPERATIONAL
SPACECRAFT
7.5%
LAUNCH VEHICLE
UPPER STAGES
18%
MISSION-RELATED
DEBRIS
11%
FRAGMENTATION
40.5%
NON-OPERATIONAL
23%
Image courtesy of:
Nicholas Johnson, NASA JSC
Note increase
in Operational S/C %

6. LEO Spatial Density Orbcomm Tselina 2 Iridium Globalstar/ Strela3
Image courtesy of: Nicholas Johnson, NASA JSC,
P. Anz-Meador, Viking Science & Technology

7. Debris Growth over Time
TOTAL
FRAGMENTATION DEBRIS
SPACECRAFT
ROCKET BODIES
MISSION-RELATED DEBRIS
Image courtesy of: Nicholas Johnson, NASA JSC

8. Notes on Growth over Time
Note “leveling” of
rocket bodies
operational debris
(in general) fragmentation debris
Current driver – operational spacecraft
LEO constellations – while controlled, “fratricide” (constellation member vs. constellation member) not a threat

9. Growth Projections
Image courtesy of: Nicholas Johnson, NASA JSC

10. US Government Policies

11. Other Mitigation Measures/History
1st true mitigation measures in 1980s
ELV Industry “self-policing” in US/Europe to mitigate against fragmentations on-orbit: passivation of upper stages
Cessation of many operational debris practices; beginning use of bolt-catchers, lanyards, etc.
1995 NASA Guidelines
1998
US DoD Guidelines
FAA Passivation requirement
NOAA, FCC getting involved
Present Japanese, French, Russian, ESA guidelines implemented