Abstract
In this work, we deepen and complement the analysis on the dynamics of Low Earth Orbits (LEO), carried out by the authors within the H2020 ReDSHIFT project, by characterising the evolution of the eccentricity of a large set of orbits in terms of the main frequency components. Decomposing the quasi-periodic time series of eccentricity of a given orbit by means of a numerical computation of Fourier transform, we link each frequency signature to the dynamical perturbation which originated it in order to build a frequency chart of the LEO region. We analyse and compare the effects on the eccentricity due to Solar radiation pressure, lunisolar perturbations and high-degree zonal harmonics of the geopotential both in the time and frequency domains. In particular, we identify the frequency signatures due to the dynamical resonances found in LEO, and we discuss the opportunity to exploit the corresponding growth of eccentricity in order to outline decommissioning strategies.
Highlights
It is known that the proliferation of space debris in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) region has already become a critical issue to handle
A detailed description of the results of the LEO cartography was presented by the authors in Alessi et al (2018a), while in Alessi et al (2018b), a general analysis on the role that resonances induced by Solar radiation pressure (SRP) can play in assisting the deorbiting was provided
The amplitude of the spectral signature induced by a perturbation on a given orbit gives an estimate of the associated eccentricity variation; this quantity can be compared with the numerical results, in the case that the dynamics is driven by SRP, with the analytical expression found in Alessi et al (2018b), in order to give a comprehensive and more robust picture of the eccentricity evolution
Summary
It is known that the proliferation of space debris in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) region has already become a critical issue to handle. We derived an analytical upper limit to the maximum eccentricity variation achievable for a given orbit under the SRP perturbation This limit can be compared with the numerical findings of the propagations described in Alessi et al (2018a). We make a deeper analysis of the role of the resonances which act in the LEO dynamics, by characterising the eccentricity of a set of orbits in terms of periodic components. The amplitude of the spectral signature induced by a perturbation on a given orbit gives an estimate of the associated eccentricity variation; this quantity can be compared with the numerical results, in the case that the dynamics is driven by SRP, with the analytical expression found in Alessi et al (2018b), in order to give a comprehensive and more robust picture of the eccentricity evolution.
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