Long-term effects of satellite megaconstellations on the debris environment in low earth orbit

Hardy, Brian Patrick

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/108004 Copy

Description

Title

Long-term effects of satellite megaconstellations on the debris environment in low earth orbit

Author(s)

Hardy, Brian Patrick

Issue Date

2020-05-11

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Ho, Koki

Department of Study

Aerospace Engineering

Discipline

Aerospace Engineering

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• space debris
• megaconstellations
• active debris removal

Abstract

This thesis examines the potential long-term impacts of satellite megaconstellations in Low Earth Orbit, with a focus on how post-mission disposal rates for megaconstellations will affect their contributions to orbital debris over the next 150 years. A new, medium-fidelity simulation for modeling orbital debris is developed and described, and several test cases are run with SpaceX’s Starlink megaconstellation and varying success rates for post-mission disposal. In cases where Starlink’s post-mission disposal rate is insufficient to prevent debris growth, varying amounts of active debris removal are explored as a potential mitigation measure. It is shown that LEO debris levels will grow at almost double their baseline rate if Starlink meets only the minimum regulatory requirements for post-mission disposal, and even relatively high rates of active debris removal cannot always return the LEO environment to its non-megaconstellation baseline. Still, the potential exists to minimize the debris-generating effects of large megaconstellations like Starlink if post-mission disposal rates of 95% or better can be achieved.

Graduation Semester

2020-05

Type of Resource

Thesis

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/108004

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2020 Brian Hardy

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