Space science

Orbital Debris

A Technical Assessment

by Committee on Space Debris, National Research Council

Description

Since the beginning of space flight, the collision hazard in Earth orbit has increased as the number of artificial objects orbiting the Earth has grown. Spacecraft performing communications, navigation, scientific, and other missions now share Earth orbit with spent rocket bodies, nonfunctional spacecraft, fragments from spacecraft breakups, and other debris created as a byproduct of space operations. Orbital Debris examines the methods we can use to characterize orbital debris, estimates the magnitude of the debris population, and assesses the hazard that this population poses to spacecraft. Potential methods to protect spacecraft are explored. The report also takes a close look at the projected future growth in the debris population and evaluates approaches to reducing that growth. Orbital Debris offers clear recommendations for targeted research on the debris population, for methods to improve the protection of spacecraft, on methods to reduce the creation of debris in the future, and much more.

More Information

Rights Information

WW ex JP, CN, KR ; L

Marketing Information

http://www.nap.edu/4765

National Academies Press

National Academies Press

The National Academies Press (NAP) publish the reports of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. They published more than 200 books a year on a wide range of topics.

View all titles

Bibliographic Information

  • Publisher National Academies Press
  • Publication Date June 1995
  • Orginal LanguageEnglish
  • ISBN/Identifier 9780309051255
  • Publication Country or regionUnited States
  • FormatHardback
  • Primary Price 44.95 USD
  • Pages224
  • ReadershipProfessional and scholarly
  • Publish StatusPublished
  • Dimensions9 x 6 inches
  • Biblio Notes1995

Subscribe to our

newsletter