Analytical Investigation of GEO Debris with High Area-to-Mass Ratio

Abstract

Earlier studies based on numerical investigation revealed that small GEO debris with very high area-tomass ratio on the order of 10 to 20 m/kg can induce large eccentricity up to 0.55 and inclination up to 40 deg. The explanation for the significant yearly variation in eccentricity is due to the solar radiation pressure effect. This paper provides an analytical investigation which leads to the insightful understanding of the long-term evolution of both eccentricity and inclination. Through doubly averaged equations, the coupling between the solar radiation pressure effects and the luni-solar attractions was clearly understood. The theoretical prediction of the long-term evolution of eccentricity and inclination closely matches that discovered by earlier researchers using numerical integration methods.