Indices of growth of danger for space activities from orbital debris and the related mitigation measures

Resumo

Intensive development of near-earth space, often followed by breakups of spacecraft, has led to its significant and progressive contamination. Investigation of this problem seems to be of current importance. Collision of space objects (SO), whose relative velocities reaching up to 17.5 km/s, implies catastrophic consequences, especially for active SOs. Particular trouble is caused concerning piloted spacecraft, in particular for the International Space Station (ISS). In this paper, taking ISS as an example, the dangerous progressive growth of the contamination of near space is shown.