Natural highways for end-of-life solutions in the LEO region

TL;DR

This study maps dynamical pathways in Low Earth Orbit that can naturally facilitate satellite deorbiting, highlighting the roles of resonances, atmospheric drag, and solar radiation pressure for end-of-life solutions.

Contribution

It provides a detailed dynamical mapping of natural deorbiting highways in LEO considering different conditions and identifies how various forces can be exploited for satellite end-of-life management.

Findings

Resonances can open natural deorbiting pathways in LEO.

Atmospheric drag is essential for exploiting these pathways for typical objects.

Solar radiation pressure can be utilized with area augmentation devices.

Abstract

We present the main findings of a dynamical mapping performed in the Low Earth Orbit region. The results were obtained by propagating an extended grid of initial conditions, considering two different epochs and area-to-mass ratios, by means of a singly averaged numerical propagator. It turns out that dynamical resonances associated with high-degree geopotential harmonics, lunisolar perturbations and solar radiation pressure can open natural deorbiting highways. For area-to-mass ratios typical of the orbiting intact objects, these corridors can be exploited only in combination with the action exerted by the atmospheric drag. For satellites equipped with an area augmentation device, we show the boundary of application of the drag, and where the solar radiation pressure can be exploited.