Description
The LEO environment is becoming increasingly crowded with mega-constellations that are necessitating an ever-increasing number of collision avoidance maneuverers. With the number of proposed constellations meaning a possible half a million satellites in Earth orbit within the next decade, methods for keeping track of these satellites and monitoring their condition is becoming of paramount importance. This work looks at current and future trends in LEOsat populations and assesses the conjunction rates. This information could be used to optimise the deployment of space-borne monitoring systems, and hence used to support in-orbit servicing, debris removal operations and help to make spacecraft operations more sustainable.
Primary author
Mr
Gruffudd Jones
(University of Birmingham)
Co-authors
Dr
Lily Beesley
(University of Birmingham)
Prof.
Leah-Nani Alconcel
(University of Birmingham)
