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Natural highways for end-of-life solutions in the LEO region

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Abstract

We present the main findings of a dynamical mapping performed in the Low Earth Orbit region. The results were obtained by propagating an extended grid of initial conditions, considering two different epochs and area-to-mass ratios, by means of a singly averaged numerical propagator. It turns out that dynamical resonances associated with high-degree geopotential harmonics, lunisolar perturbations and Solar radiation pressure can open natural deorbiting highways. For area-to-mass ratios typical of the orbiting intact objects, these corridors can be exploited only in combination with the action exerted by the atmospheric drag. For satellites equipped with an area augmentation device, we show the boundary of application of the drag, and where the Solar radiation pressure can be exploited.

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Acknowledgements

This work is funded through the European Commission Horizon 2020, Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014–2020), under the ReDSHIFT project (Grant Agreement No. 687500). We are grateful to Bruno Carli, Camilla Colombo, Ioannis Gkolias, Kleomenis Tsiganis, Despoina Skoulidou and Volker Schaus for the useful discussions. E.M.A. is also grateful to Florent Deleflie for the period spent in Lille.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IFAC-CNR, via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy

    Elisa Maria Alessi, Giulia Schettino, Alessandro Rossi & Giovanni B. Valsecchi

  2. IAPS-INAF, via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133, Rome, Italy

    Giovanni B. Valsecchi

Authors
  1. Elisa Maria Alessi
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  2. Giulia Schettino
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  3. Alessandro Rossi
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  4. Giovanni B. Valsecchi
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Correspondence to Elisa Maria Alessi.

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This article is part of the topical collection on Close Approaches and Collisions in Planetary Systems.

Guest Editors: Rudolf Dvorak, Christoph Lhotka and Alessandra Celletti.

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Alessi, E.M., Schettino, G., Rossi, A. et al. Natural highways for end-of-life solutions in the LEO region. Celest Mech Dyn Astr 130, 34 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10569-018-9822-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10569-018-9822-z

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