Reconnecting groups of space debris to their parent body through proper elements

Area of Science:

• Space debris dynamics
• Orbital mechanics
• Astrodynamics

Background:

• Satellite collisions and fragmentations create numerous space debris.
• Debris dispersal over time complicates identification of origin.
• Existing methods struggle to link fragments to their break-up configuration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a procedure for back-tracing space debris.
• To reconnect dispersed fragments to their original configuration.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of proper elements in debris analysis.

Main Methods:

• Computation of proper elements, which are time-invariant dynamical quantities.
• Application of a hierarchical implementation of perturbation theory.
• Analysis of four satellite break-up case studies (Ariane 44lp, Atlas V Centaur, CZ-3, Titan IIIc Transtage).
• Statistical data analysis to evaluate the link between osculating and proper elements.

Main Results:

• Proper elements retain dynamical features of the original configuration, unlike spreading osculating elements.
• The procedure successfully reconnected debris fragments to their parent bodies.
• Demonstrated efficacy across multiple satellite break-up scenarios.

Conclusions:

• Proper elements are effective for identifying and reconnecting space debris fragments.
• The developed procedure offers a reliable method for space debris origin analysis.
• This technique enhances our understanding of orbital debris dynamics and management.