Orbital Debris Environment Model in the Geosynchronous Region

Abstract

The Kyushu University orbital debris environment model in the geosynchronous region has been updated to provide a better and more accurate description and understanding of orbital debris environment than the previous model. The main advantage of the present model over the previous model is to introduce more realistic breakup dispersion to estimate collision hazards to other spacecraft caused by breakup fragments. The results from the new model indicate that all aged satellites should move into a disposal orbit at the end of mission to reduce potential hazards to operational satellites. However, boosting up all aged satellites cannot preserve the current orbital environment sufficiently because debris fragments from explosions are still hazardous to operational satellites. The results also indicate that safekeeping procedures for all rocket bodies and spacecraft that remain in the geosynchronous region after completion of their mission are required as well as in low Earth orbit.