 | Over eighty man-made Earth satellites have fragmented since the Transit 4A rocket exploded in 1961. Now, nearly 50 percent of all objects being tracked in near-Earth orbit are debris fragments from these satellite breakups. The sources of this debris and its future
implications on space endeavors are discussed in this book. Emphasis is placed on measurements of fragments and discerning the cause of the many breakups which have been triggered by unknown means. This book examines the technical issues of orbital debris in a comprehensive manner useful to the systems engineer, yet it is still thought provoking to the researching graduate student. An appendix has been added to this edition to provide updates and insights on a number of important technical
and policy events that have occurred since the original printing of the book, and some areas requiring more in-depth coverage have been expanded. Errata from the first printing is included, as well as current data on breakups and the cataloged population. |
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