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Dynamic Modelling Transformations for the Low Earth Orbit Satellite Particulate Environment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2016

J.A.M. McDonnell
Affiliation:
Unit for Space Sciences, University of Kent at Canterbury, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NR, United Kingdom
K. Sullivan
Affiliation:
Unit for Space Sciences, University of Kent at Canterbury, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NR, United Kingdom
S.F. Green
Affiliation:
Unit for Space Sciences, University of Kent at Canterbury, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NR, United Kingdom
T.J. Stevenson
Affiliation:
Unit for Space Sciences, University of Kent at Canterbury, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NR, United Kingdom
D.H. Niblett
Affiliation:
Unit for Space Sciences, University of Kent at Canterbury, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NR, United Kingdom

Abstract

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A simple dynamic model to investigate the relative fluxes and particle velocities on a spacecraft’s different faces is presented. The results for LDEF are consistent with a predominantly interplanetary origin for the larger particulates, but a sizable population of orbital particles with sizes capable of penetrating foils of thickness <30μm. Data from experiments over the last 30 years do not show the rise in flux expected if these were space debris. The possibility of a population of natural orbital particulates awaits confirmation from chemical residue analysis.

Type
Interplanetary Dust: Space and Earth Environment Studies
Copyright
Copyright © Kluwer 1991

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