Poynting-Robertson drag and solar wind in the space debris problem

TL;DR

This paper models the combined effects of Poynting-Robertson and solar wind drag on space debris, analyzing their impact on long-term orbital dynamics and resonance behavior, especially near geosynchronous orbits.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive model incorporating these forces within multiple frameworks and explores their influence on debris stability and resonance trapping.

Findings

Debris behavior varies with area-to-mass ratio, leading to capture or escape.

Long-term dynamics are significantly affected by these drag forces.

Resonance trapping can be utilized for debris management.

Abstract

We analyze the combined effect of Poynting-Robertson and solar wind drag on space debris. We derive a model within Cartesian, Gaussian and Hamiltonian frameworks. We focus on the geosynchronous resonance, although the results can be easily generalized to any resonance. By numerical and analytical techniques, we compute the drift in semi-major axis due to Poynting-Robertson and solar wind drag. After a linear stability analysis of the equilibria, we combine a careful investigation of the regular, resonant, chaotic behavior of the phase space with a long-term propagation of a sample of initial conditions. The results strongly depend on the value of the area-to-mass ratio of the debris, which might show different dynamical behaviors: temporary capture or escape from the geosynchronous resonance, as well as temporary capture or escape from secondary resonances involving the rate of variation of the longitude of the Sun. Such analysis shows that Poynting-Robertson and solar wind drag must be taken into account, when looking at the long-term behavior of space debris. Trapping or escape from the resonance can be used to place the debris in convenient regions of the phase space.