Session
Weekday Session 6: Orbital Debris, SSA & STM/Propulsion
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
This study presents an assessment of evolving conjunction risk for small satellite missions (5U or smaller) by using the suite of LeoLabs' products. The aim is to (1) quantify the growth of small satellites population in the low Earth orbit (LEO), (2) assess the impact of on-orbit break-up events and small debris (sub-10 cm) objects on small satellite missions, and (3) present an optimal risk mitigation timeline for small satellite missions, based on conjunction alerts issued in 2023. The global network of S-band radars built and operated by LeoLabs provides a 24/7 data feed to power this assessment and help identify the evolution of this risk. The ability to access this enhances operational safety. Thus, a statistical assessment of the risk posed and quantification of the evolution of this risk over mission timeline is important.
Further, understanding the optimal risk mitigation timeline for small satellite missions is critical as these missions have limited on-board resources and hence, knowing the severity of the risk and taking appropriate and timely mitigative action (attitude change or thrusting 'n' days before time of closest approach, i.e., TCA) is paramount. Although, the mitigative action (the level and duration of thrusting or the amount of attitude change) itself is not studied as these specifics often vary based on the event type, the optimal timeline (as in how many days before TCA?) of this mitigative action is reviewed by studying the conjunction events encountered by small satellites.
Assessment of Evolving Conjunction Risk for Small Satellite Missions
Utah State University, Logan, UT
This study presents an assessment of evolving conjunction risk for small satellite missions (5U or smaller) by using the suite of LeoLabs' products. The aim is to (1) quantify the growth of small satellites population in the low Earth orbit (LEO), (2) assess the impact of on-orbit break-up events and small debris (sub-10 cm) objects on small satellite missions, and (3) present an optimal risk mitigation timeline for small satellite missions, based on conjunction alerts issued in 2023. The global network of S-band radars built and operated by LeoLabs provides a 24/7 data feed to power this assessment and help identify the evolution of this risk. The ability to access this enhances operational safety. Thus, a statistical assessment of the risk posed and quantification of the evolution of this risk over mission timeline is important.
Further, understanding the optimal risk mitigation timeline for small satellite missions is critical as these missions have limited on-board resources and hence, knowing the severity of the risk and taking appropriate and timely mitigative action (attitude change or thrusting 'n' days before time of closest approach, i.e., TCA) is paramount. Although, the mitigative action (the level and duration of thrusting or the amount of attitude change) itself is not studied as these specifics often vary based on the event type, the optimal timeline (as in how many days before TCA?) of this mitigative action is reviewed by studying the conjunction events encountered by small satellites.
Comments
Version 2 uploaded 2023-08-14.