Algorithms for the Computation of Debris Risk

Abstract: Determining the risks from space debris involve a number of statistical calculations. These calculations inevitably involve assumptions about geometry – including the physical geometry of orbits and the geometry of satellites. A number of tools have been developed in NASA’s Orbital Debris Program Office to handle these calculations; many of which have never been published before. These include algorithms that are used in NASA’s Orbital Debris Engineering Model ORDEM 3.0, as well as other tool…