Orbital dynamics of space debris considering natural perturbations and resonance effects

In this work, we analyzed the orbital evolution of space debris in low Earth orbits to identify unstable regions that could serve as reentry corridors and stable regions that could be used as graveyard orbits, taking into account the main natural orbital perturbations. An analytical study was conduc...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Tresaco, Eva, dos Santos Carvalho, Jean Paulo, de Moraes, Rodolpho Vilhena, da Silva Neto, Calisto José
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Zaragoza
Repositorio:Zaguán. Repositorio Digital de la Universidad de Zaragoza
OAI Identifier:oai:zaguan.unizar.es:162961
Acceso en línea:http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/162961
Access Level:acceso embargado
Descripción
Sumario:In this work, we analyzed the orbital evolution of space debris in low Earth orbits to identify unstable regions that could serve as reentry corridors and stable regions that could be used as graveyard orbits, taking into account the main natural orbital perturbations. An analytical study was conducted to identify resonant regions associated with the oblateness of the Earth and solar radiation pressure, as well as to determine resonant pairs of semimajor axis and inclination. Considering a simplified averaged model of the perturbing potential—which includes the effects of solar radiation pressure, Earth oblateness, and lunisolar perturbations—we numerically integrated the planetary Lagrange equations to analyze the evolution of the resonant orbital parameters obtained analytically. We identified resonance corridors that, combined with the deployment of a solar sail at the end of the mission, amplified the growth of the eccentricity, promoting the reduction of the orbital perigee. The results were presented through dynamic maps, which allowed the identification of stable regions for graveyard orbits and rapid reentry highways.