Orbital Debris: Cost Impact on Setting Policy.

Abstract

As the exploration of space increases, the problems associated with orbital debris also increase. 0rbital debris continues to grow at a linear rate with an ever increasing possibility of a shift to an exponential rate. If this point is achieved, space travel will, at best, be extremely hazardous and at worst, unusable. When mitigating orbital debris, cost and policy issues must be addressed. Currently no policy exists that makes the mitigation of orbital debris mandatory but it only strongly recommends mitigation as long as it is cost effective. This thesis addresses the cost impact of alternative spacecraft design Options for orbital debris mitigation. The cost impact is shown by developing generic satellite characteristics, considering two different altitudes, and using alternative design options.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1996
Accession Number
ADA313398

Entities

People

  • William S. Wolfner

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Apogees
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Control Systems
  • Cost Estimates
  • Debris
  • Department Of Defense
  • Earth Orbits
  • Geosynchronous Orbits
  • Lasers
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Reaction Control Systems
  • Space Debris
  • Space Objects
  • Space Stations
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • Economics
  • Explosive Engineering.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris