Orbit-Attitude Changes of Objects in Near Earth Space Induced by Natural Charging
Abstract
Abstract Orbit-Attitude Changes of Objects in Near Earth Space Induced by Natural Charging Program Officer: Dr. B. Kyle Henderson Dr Ryan Weisman Department: Space Vehicles Directorate Abstract It is proposed to include the effects of space plasma and the resulting charging effects in combination with the Earth magnetic field in a fully coupled six degree of freedom propagation. The method is based on finite element decomposition of the object s surface in combination with a spherical expansion approach of the Earth magnetic field and the numerically integrated attitude and orbit in relation to the simulation of the surrounding space plasma environment. This takes into account the coupling of orbit and attitude with the perturbing forces induced by charging and induction. It closes a gap in the orbit and propagation that current tools are not able to solve. This research will improve the understanding of perturbation effects and hence benefit the commercial and academic efforts to increase the accuracy of prediction of all space object positions, as well as aid the attitude dependent characterization of shapes and materials of all space objects. The first part improves the cataloging of all space objects, significantly decreasing the risk of on-orbit collisions, and hence increasing the lifetime and reliable operation of all operational assets, while decreasing on-orbit fuel usage for unnecessary collision-avoidance maneuvers. Furthermore, the research will have the potential to use charging as a means to obtain more efficient orbit-maintenance by making use of natural forces that could aid in this task. The second part provides improvements in a twofold manner: For one, the research will aid the identification of materials of on-orbit objects. Secondly, it aids the commercial and academic efforts to identify and characterize non-communicative space objects in order to trace back their origin. In both cases, it helps to determine material degradation via identification of changing material properties in their charging level over time. This can help in the design of more sustainable satellites and surface materials in the future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 18, 2016
- Source ID
- FA94531510309
Entities
People
- Carolin Frueh
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory
- United States Air Force
- University of Virginia