Evolution of EUMETSAT LEO Conjunctions Events Handling Operations

摘要

This paper provides an overview of the evolution of operations conducted at EUMETSAT in case of dangerous conjunction events with space debris in LEO: from ignoring the problem to developing a set of validated software prototype tools and operational procedures, with which so far three Metop-A collision avoidance maneuvers have been successfully executed; and from that solid basis to the development of an enhanced Conjunction Analysis software, integrated in the operational flight dynamics facility, that shall become operational in the near future. The functionalities of the new modules of that software (CWINGEST, CONANA and FRAME) are addressed in the paper. The new software is currently executed off-line for validation purposes and to support conjunction event operations, which are still conducted with the validated prototype tools. In particular it was used during the preparation of the second and third Metop-A collision avoidance maneuvers, executed in 2012. This paper highlights the improvements achieved in the operations due to the enhanced features of the new software and identifies new functionalities that could be included in future software versions.