Flying Blind at over 7 Kilometers per Second: A Concept for Improving Space Collision Avoidance

Abstract

Space collision avoidance requires more international cooperation in order to move beyond catalog maintenance toward active space traffic management. Spacecraft and sensor owners should seek out ways to provide information to each other for collectively improved orbital safety. In addition to increasing space traffic, recent collisions in space have produced debris that will remain hazardous to navigation for over one hundred years. While technical proposals for sharing data exist, psychological factors, such as power, fear, trust, and protection of intellectual capital, are the keys to improvement. Decision-makers should consider ten recommended actions that would improve space collision avoidance for all, including themselves.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 20, 2010
Accession Number
ADA530164

Entities

People

  • Jeffrey A. Hokett

Organizations

  • National Defense University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accidents
  • Air Force
  • Collision Avoidance
  • Earth Orbits
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • International Organizations
  • National Security
  • Navigation
  • Psychology
  • Rocket Engines
  • Satellite Constellations
  • Space Debris
  • Space Objects
  • Space Situational Awareness
  • Spacecraft
  • United States Strategic Command
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aviation Safety Risk Assessment.
  • Government and Public Administration Law.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris