Output details

Effect of thermospheric contraction on remediation of the near-Earth space debris environment

Significance of output:

Collisions leading to losses of ~$300 million per satellite can be prevented by removing debris from orbit. However, our paper predicts the benefit from debris removal is eliminated by human-induced change in the thermosphere. This work led to an invited talk at the 2010 workshop “Long-Term Changes and Trends in the Atmosphere” and was reported in the press (http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20627663.000-climate-change-is-leaving-us-with-extra-space-junk.html), (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14763668), (http://www.space.com/8875-real-mess-orbit-space-junk-hang-longer-expected.html). A summary of our results will be included in the US National Academy of Sciences Decadal Survey of Solar and Space Physics (http://sites.nationalacademies.org/SSB/CurrentProjects/SSB_056864), which will identify the highest priority scientific targets from 2013-2022 for agencies including NASA and NOAA.