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Computation of destructive satellite re-entries

Fritsche, B. 1, Koppenwallner, G.1
Affiliation data not available1

Document details

Publishing year2001 PublisherESA Publishing typeConference Name of conference3rd European Conference on Space Debris
Pagesn/a Volume
3
Issue
1
Editors
H. Lacoste

Abstract

The software system SCARAB ('Spacecraft Atmospheric Re-entry and Aerothermal Break-up') is designed to calculate the destruction of spacecraft during their re-entry flight through the Earth atmosphere. This software has a modular structure, combining flight dynamics, aerothermodynamics, thermal analysis, and structural analysis. The software has been applied to several test cases. Some results could be verified with in-flight measurements, other results were compared with other existing re-entry prediction tools. Now we are working on re-entry survivability studies for satellites at their end of mission. Currently there are several satellites of interest in orbit which will make an uncontrolled re-entry during the next few years. For satellites without controlability the SCARAB S/W computes the satellite destruction history and the ground impact risk. For 'controlled re-entries' (uncontrolled re-entry after a de-orbit boost) the computations can give recommendations for the choice of suitable entry conditions. The present paper presents results of current studies.

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