Optimal Reentry Time Estimation of an Upper Stage from Geostationary Transfer Orbit

摘要

A STABLE space-debris environment is defined as an environ-nment permitting safe space operations in the long-term futuren[1]. A simple way to achieve a stable space debris environment is tonlimit the lifetime of man-made orbiting vehicles to 25 years [2]. Anspent stage that evolves along a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) isnsubject to a higher collision threat potential; that is, since its path willnnecessarily traverse the region between geostationary orbit and lownEarth orbit. Subsequently, minimization of the spent stage lifetime isnone important objective in space debris mitigation efforts. Thenimpact of natural forces such as drag and lunisolar perturbations onnthe lifetime of high-eccentricity orbits (less than 0.5) is the subject ofnearlier studies [2–7]. The effectiveness of lunisolar perturbations innreducing the lifetime of eccentric orbits with high-apogee altitudes isnalso the subject of previous investigations [2]. Measures such asndeboosting compromise the payload capacity of the launch vehicle.nTherefore, the decay of the spent stages must be carefully monitorednand analyzed to facilitate enhanced planning for future missions.nSpecifically, minimizing the lifetime of the spent stage withoutnjeopardizing the operational requirements.