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Microparticle populations at LEO altitudes: Recent spacecraft measurements

McDonnell, J.A.M., Ratcliff, P.R., Green, Simon F., McBride, Neil, Collier, I. (1997) Microparticle populations at LEO altitudes: Recent spacecraft measurements. Icarus, 127 (1). pp. 55-64. ISSN 0019-1035. (doi:10.1006/icar.1996.5662) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:18183)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/icar.1996.5662

Abstract

Data from satellite impact experiments and the scanning of recovered spacecraft surfaces and solar cells offer an extended time base for examining, using a consistent methodology, microparticle fluxes at low Earth orbital (LEG) altitudes. Revised estimates of the ratio of natural micrometeorites to space debris at micrometer dimensions at similar to 500 km altitude show that the debris population is not as dominant as previously believed. New data show that, despite a predicted growth in the debris population, the particle flux has not changed appreciably in this size regime over the period 1980-1994., Of penetrations of spacecraft surfaces of a 4 to 5 mu m thickness 18 (+9)/(-6)% are due to interplanetary meteoroids, whereas above similar to 30 mu m thickness the interplanetary component dominates. Results of studies of atmospheric drag depletion of orbital components, confirmed by flux data at differing altitudes, show that at altitudes of similar to 240 km the meteoroid population dominates even at micrometer sizes due to the extremely short lifetimes of orbital particles. Exposure of detectors in such low orbits represents an opportunity to sample the interplanetary meteoroid population without contamination from space debris.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1006/icar.1996.5662
Subjects: Q Science
Q Science > QB Astronomy
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Depositing User: M.A. Ziai
Date Deposited: 18 Apr 2009 20:03 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:56 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/18183 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Green, Simon F..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9153-9786
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

McBride, Neil.

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
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