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9 RECOMMENDATIONS
Pages 175-182

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From page 175...
... However, data are lacking on many debris sources, size ranges, and orbital regions; current understanding of the debris environment is based on incomplete measurements and models that are not yet mature. Increasing our knowledge of the orbital debris environment and applying that knowledge to debris mitigation practices may be the most cost-effective means of reducing the future impact of the debris hazard.
From page 176...
... , which is made up of representatives from ESA, the Russian Space Agency, space agencies from Japan, and NASA. To provide future guidance for debris research, the committee recommends the following: Recommendation 1: An expanded international group should be formed to advise the space community about areas in the orbital debris field needingfurther investigation and to suggest potential investigation methods.
From page 177...
... Such a model would aid experimenters in properly interpreting their data and spacecraft designers in properly assessing the hazard to their spacecraft. In addition, the committee recommends two measures to improve the efficiency and accuracy of research on orbital debris: Recommendation 3: The creation of an international system for collecting, storing, and distributing data on orbital debris should be explored.
From page 178...
... For this reason, the committee recommends the following: Recommendation 5: A guide to aid spacecraft designers in dealing with the debris environment should be developed and distributed widely. This design guide should include information on environmental prediction, damage assessment, and passive and operational protection techniques.
From page 179...
... To better predict impact damage and design debris shields, the committee recommends the following: Recommendation 6: Research should be continued to characterize the effects of hypervelocity impacts on spacecraft systems in thefollowing areas: · further development of techniques to launch projectiles to the velocities typical of collisions in LEO; · improved models of the properties of newer spacecraft materials. , ~ I I ~ I studies of damage effects on critical components; development of analytical tools consistent over a range of debris impact velocities, shapes, and compositions; and · improved models of catastrophic spacecraft breakup from debris impact.
From page 180...
... Current international law does not specifically address the orbital debris issue, so there is a fairly clean slate upon which to draft future regulations to reduce the generation of new debris. (Existing international agreements pertaining to orbital debris, as well as some of the efforts under way that may affect future rule making on orbital debrisrelated issues, are discussed briefly in Appendix A.)
From page 181...
... Explosions of spacecraft and rocket bodies have been major contributors to the debris hazard, so preventing such explosions will significantly reduce the growth in the short-term debris hazard. Implementing design features to passivate spacecraft and rocket bodies after their functional lifetimes will generally not be very costly.
From page 182...
... However, it may not be wise to let the GEO debris population grow until a permanent solution is divined. For these reasons, the committee recommends the following: Recommendation 14: The use of GEO disposal orbits should tee further studied.


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