{"id":61376,"date":"2016-07-19T16:56:00","date_gmt":"2016-07-19T20:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-386448"},"modified":"2023-07-26T12:19:29","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T16:19:29","slug":"long-term-rotational-dynamics-of-defunct-earth-orbiting-satellites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/space-tech-research-grants\/long-term-rotational-dynamics-of-defunct-earth-orbiting-satellites\/","title":{"rendered":"Long-Term Rotational Dynamics of Defunct Earth-Orbiting Satellites"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Conor Benson<\/strong><br>\n<em>University Of Colorado, Boulder<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While extensive research has been conducted to predict the trajectories of defunct high altitude satellites, the attitude dynamics of these objects are not well understood. Interestingly, many satellites are known to spin rapidly \u2013 with periods as short as several seconds \u2013 or have complex rotation states that change over time. My goal is to develop theories explaining and predicting the rotational behavior of defunct satellites in GPS-like and geosynchronous (GEO) orbits. To do this, I will build on previous research involving asteroids. This research suggests that the rotational behavior of defunct satellites is largely due to the Yarkovsky-O\u2019Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack (YORP) effect, a phenomenon in which solar radiation absorption, re-emission, and reflection produces torques on an orbiting body. In addition to the YORP effect, energy dissipated through structural flexibility or fuel slosh appears to play a key role in the rotation state evolution of defunct satellites. To investigate these effects as well as others, I will develop analytical and numerically integrated simulation models that couple attitude dynamics and orbital motion. These models will include solar radiation pressure (SRP), energy dissipation effects, gravity gradient torques, and n-body influences. To gain insight into the attitude dynamics and validate simulation results, I will collaborate with satellite observers to observe the spin states of particular defunct satellites. The information provided through simulations and observations will allow me to develop theories predicting the rotational behavior of defunct high altitude satellites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding the attitude dynamics of these defunct satellites is important for trajectory prediction, collision risk assessment, and proposed satellite repair and recycling operations. Predicting the long-term orbital motion of these satellites requires accurate modelling of SRP, the strongest non-gravitational force affecting uncontrolled high altitude satellites. Like atmospheric drag, SRP forces are dependent on a satellite\u2019s orientation with respect to incoming particles (in this case photons and radiation from the Sun). However, many current orbital debris prediction models neglect attitude considerations when calculating SRP forces, instead assuming constant or at best time averaged SRP coefficients. Incorporating attitude dynamics information into orbital prediction models will yield more accurate pictures of the future orbital environment. Knowledge of a defunct satellite\u2019s spin rates will also help predict the potential for satellite break-up or material shedding, allowing operators to navigate critical assets away from these hazards. Finally, satellite repair and recycling operations, which promise to reduce the cost of operating expensive GEO satellites, require repair spacecraft to dock with rotating, uncontrolled satellites. Understanding the satellite spin states that the spacecraft might encounter will be crucial for success. Ultimately, the advancements permitted through an enhanced understanding of defunct satellite attitude dynamics will help protect critical space assets from collisions and ensure the safety of Earth\u2019s orbital environment for future users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"\/directorates\/spacetech\/strg\/nstrf-2016\"><strong>Back to NSTRF 2016 Full List<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Conor Benson University Of Colorado, Boulder While extensive research has been conducted to predict the trajectories of defunct high altitude satellites, the attitude dynamics of these objects are not well understood. Interestingly, many satellites are known to spin rapidly \u2013 with periods as short as several seconds \u2013 or have complex rotation states that change […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":66,"featured_media":47963,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[3337],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[9529,12750],"coauthors":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Long-Term Rotational Dynamics of Defunct Earth-Orbiting Satellites","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/space-tech-research-grants\/long-term-rotational-dynamics-of-defunct-earth-orbiting-satellites\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/space-tech-research-grants\/long-term-rotational-dynamics-of-defunct-earth-orbiting-satellites\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/hubble_friday_06242016.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/hubble_friday_06242016.jpg"},"articleSection":"NASA Directorates","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Loura Hall"}],"creator":["Loura Hall"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA Directorates","Space Technology Mission Directorate","Space Technology Research Grants"],"dateCreated":"2016-07-19T20:56:00Z","datePublished":"2016-07-19T20:56:00Z","dateModified":"2023-07-26T16:19:29Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Long-Term Rotational Dynamics of Defunct Earth-Orbiting Satellites\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/stmd\/space-tech-research-grants\/long-term-rotational-dynamics-of-defunct-earth-orbiting-satellites\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/hubble_friday_06242016.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2016-07-19T20:56:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"NASA Directorates\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA Directorates,Space Technology Mission Directorate,Space Technology Research Grants\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Loura Hall\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":3,"time_ago":"8 years","featured_image":{"id":47963,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/hubble_friday_06242016.jpg","title":"The stars of the Large Magellanic Cloud","alt":"A gathering of red, white and blue stars in the constellation of Dorado","caption":"This NASA\/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image shows the globular cluster NGC 1854, a gathering of white and blue stars in the southern constellation of Dorado (The Dolphinfish). NGC 1854 is located about 135 000 light-years away, in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), one of our closest cosmic neighbours and a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. The LMC is a hotbed of vigorous star formation. Rich in interstellar gas and dust, the galaxy is home to approximately 60 globular clusters and 700 open clusters. These clusters are frequently the subject of astronomical research, as the Large Magellanic Cloud and its little sister, the Small Magellanic Cloud, are the only systems known to contain clusters at all stages of evolution. Hubble is often used to study these clusters as its extremely high-resolution cameras can resolve individual stars, even at the clusters\u2019 crowded cores, revealing their mass, size and degree of evolution."},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61376"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/66"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61376"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61376\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":463523,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61376\/revisions\/463523"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47963"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61376"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61376"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=61376"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=61376"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=61376"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}