The small orbital debris population and its impact on space activities and ecological safety

Abstract

When it is said about the danger of orbital debris for space activities and the ecology of the Earth, it most often means large orbital debris. In contrast to large orbital debris, the influence of small ones to space activities and ecology of the Earth and near-Earth space is often underestimated. As will be shown in this paper, it is unfair. New data on the dynamics of contamination of near-Earth space with small debris in low Earth orbit were obtained. The number, mass, and dynamics of the small orbital debris population in low Earth orbit are estimated as well as the consequences of the deployment of multi-satellite communication satellite systems are estimated. It makes the study of this area particularly relevant. The various aspects of the consequences of technogenic contamination of near-Earth space are considered. The comparison of the danger of small orbital particles and large satellite fragments for space activity and the ecology of the Earth and near-Earth space is also provided. А significant lack of reliable information on small space debris is proved to be one of the main limiting factors for our knowledge about the population of space debris in low Earth orbits.