Abstract
On the basis of numerical experiments, we have shown the principal possibility of long (more than 1 month) and extremely long (more than 1 year) orbit lifetime of technogenic microparticles with radii from 1 to 100 μm injected into the near-Earth space in highly elliptical orbits with low perigee, including the case of an orbit with parameters corresponding to the orbital parameters of the Molniya satellite. Calculations are performed taking into account the perturbing effect on the orbital microparticle motion in the near-Earth space of gravitational perturbation caused by the Earth’s polar oblateness, the solar pressure force (calculated using methods of the Mie theory), and the drag force of neutral component of the background gas under conditions of low, medium, and high levels of solar and geomagnetic activities.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Horanyi, M., Houpis, H.L.F., and Mendis, D.A., Charged Dust in the Earth’s Magnetosphere, Astrophys. and Space Sci., 1988, vol. 144, pp. 215–229.
Mueller, A.C. and Kessler, D.J., The Effects of Particulates from Solid Rocket Motors Fired in Space, Adv. Space Res., 1985, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 77–86.
Kolesnikov, E.K., Peculiarities of the Orbital Motion of Submicron Particles in the Earth’s Plasmasphere, Kosm. Issled., 2001, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 100–105. [Cosmic Research, pp. 92–97].
Kolesnikov, E.K. and Chernov, S.V., Microparticle Residence Time in Low, Near-Earth, Circular Orbits, Kosm. Issled., 1997, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 221–222. [Cosmic Research, pp. 206–207].
Kolesnikov, E.K. and Chernov, S.V., Dimensions of Microparticles Trapped by the Earth’s Magnetic Field at Various Geomagnetic Activity Levels, Kosm. Issled., 2003, vol. 41, no. 5, pp. 558–560. [Cosmic Research, pp. 526–527].
Singer, S.F., Mulholland, J.D., et al., LDEF Interplanetary Dust Experiment: Techniques for the Identification and Study of Long-Lived Orbital Debris Clouds, IAF 91-285, 1991.
Singer, S.F., Orbital Particle Clouds — Properties, Prevention, and Protection, Proc. 1st Euro. Conf. on Space Debris, Darmstadt, Germany, 5–7 April, 1993 (ESA SD-01).
Smirnov, V.M., Semenov, A.S., Rebrikov, V.N., and Kuzin, G.A., Results of Onboard Investigations on Meteoroid and Technogenic Bodies from “Salyut” and “Mir” Orbital Stations, Space Debris, 2001, vol. 1, pp. 211–218.
Maag, C.R., Deshpande, S.P., and Johnson, N.L., On the Existence of Debris Clouds in the Space Station Orbit, Proc. 2nd Euro. Conf. on Space Debris, ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany, 17–19 March, 1997 (ESA SP-393, May 1997).
Madden, C., Mission STS-56, OV-103 Flight 16 Thermal Protection System Post Flight Assessment, Rockwell International Report KLO-93-006, 1993.
Bohren, C.F. and Huffman, D.R., Absorption and Scattering of Light by Small Particles, New York: Wiley, 1983.
Hedin, A.E., Extension of the MSIS Thermosphere Model into the Middle and Lower Atmosphere, J. Geophys. Res., 1991, vol. 96, no. A2, pp. 1159–1172.
Beletskii, V.V., Bronshtein, M.L., and Popirnyi, G.A., Estimation of Parameters of a Mirror-Diffusion Model of Reflection Using Attitude Motion of Satellites of the Proton Series, Kosm. Issled., 1973, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 171–179.
Divari, N.B. and Klikh, Yu.A., Influence of Direct Light Pressure of the Sun on Motion of Particles of the Near-Earth Dust Cloud, Astron. Zh., 1967, vol. 44, no. 4, pp. 840–848.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Original Russian Text © E.K. Kolesnikov, S.V. Chernov, 2011, published in Kosmicheskie Issledovaniya, 2011, Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 370–376.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kolesnikov, E.K., Chernov, S.V. Orbit lifetime for microparticles in highly elliptical orbits with low perigee. Cosmic Res 49, 360–366 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0010952511040071
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0010952511040071