Kt. Alfriend et Dl. Lewis, ESTIMATION OF THE LOW-EARTH-ORBIT DEBRIS POPULATION AND DISTRIBUTION, Journal of spacecraft and rockets, 31(1), 1994, pp. 48-53
In this paper an algorithm for estimating the low-Earth-orbit space ob
ject population and distribution from measurements taken by a vertical
, staring narrow beam radar is developed and validated. The radar meas
ures the altitude, inclination, and radar cross section of each object
which passes through the beam. Validation of the algorithm is achieve
d by simulating the orbits of the objects in the North American Aerosp
ace Defense Command (NORAD) data base, determining those which pass th
rough a vertical staring radar and by estimating the population and di
stribution of the NORAD data base from the altitude, inclination, and
radar cross section of those which pass through. The effects of the as
sumptions made in developing the algorithm and measurement errors are
discussed. An estimate of the operational time of the radar needed to
achieve a specified accuracy in the space object population is also de
veloped.