Orbital dynamics of space debris considering natural perturbations and resonance effects

Tresaco, Eva (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; dos Santos Carvalho, Jean Paulo ; de Moraes, Rodolpho Vilhena ; da Silva Neto, Calisto José

Resumen: 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.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1140/epjs/s11734-025-01913-4

Año: 2025

Publicado en: European Physical Journal-Special Topics (2025), [8 pp.]
ISSN: 1951-6355

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2020-117066GB-I00

Tipo y forma: Article (PostPrint)

Área (Departamento): Área Matemática Aplicada (Dpto. Matemática Aplicada)