Space Fragmentation Research Paper

% Intro The future of space for both scientific and commercial missions is threatened by the escalating dangers of space debris. If an effort to remove debris does not take place soon, a "snow-ball effect" where satellite fragmentations cause further collisions leading to a dramatic increase in space debris \cite{ion}. As of 2007, nearly half of all Earth satellites are debris \cite{old}. %TODO finish intro %TODO where is space debris a problem? % History %TODO go more in-depth and stretch out each event % Early fragmentations % 2007 Fengyun anti-satellite test % 2009 collision % 2012 Breeze debris The very first nuclear-powered spacecraft was launched on-board a Thor-Ablestar rocket, whose booster simultaneously caused the first major satellite fragmentation \cite{nuclear} \cite{old}. This accident, caused by a propulsion malfunction, put nearly three hundred debris into low-Earth orbit (LEO). The number of satellite fragmentations increased through the 1970s and …show more content…
Laser pulses carry a small mechanical momentum, which can be used to remotely push inactive satellites out of orbit \cite{lasers}. Such a spacecraft would be focused on inactive satellites in geostationary orbit (GEO), where the goal is not to deorbit the debris but instead just remove it from the overly crowded space \cite{lasers}. This type of active debris remover can have a range of up to three-hundred kilometers, giving it a distinct advantage over other methods \cite{lasers}. One of the problems highlighted in the plans for these kinds of laser satellites is the amount of propellant needed to perform so many maneuvers in GEO. This problem could be alleviated by using more efficient propulsion, such as the ion thrusters described in the IBS craft