A new fast cloud propagator for use in the GEO regime

Description/Abstract

A new, fast debris cloud propagator is currently under development at the University of Southampton. This propagator, which is dedicated to the geostationary (GEO) regime, as well as other high-Earth orbits, propagates the debris cloud as a whole, rather than as a number of individual fragments or pseudo-fragments. This fast cloud propagator (FCP) first identifies the number distributions of debris fragments in six-dimensional element-space and also identifies the distributions of element relationships with one another; for example, the distribution of fragments in an eccentricity vs. inclination scatter plot. The modes and extremities of the distributions, as well as other carefully chosen distribution parameters, numbering 73 in total, are then propagated to the required epoch and the number distributions and element relationships are re-created from the propagated distribution parameters. The debris cloud is accurately re-created – and a considerable speed increase is gained over a conventional propagator, which typically evolves the large number of fragments found in the original debris cloud.