A coordinate system where X lies in the planenormal to and in the direction of motion of the spacecraft, Z is normal tothis plane and Y completes the triad in a right-handed coordinate system.
An instrument to control the electric potential of a spacecraft with respect to the ambient plasma by emitting a variable current of positive ions. (spase)
An instrument to control the electric potential of a spacecraft with respect to the ambient plasma by emitting a variable current of positive ions. (spase)
Man-made objects in orbit around the Earth that no longer serve any useful purpose. The estimated number of debris include about 22,000 tractable objects larger than 10 cm in all orbits, of which 2,20
0 are dead satellites and last stages of the rocket that put them in orbit. There are also left-overs from spacecraft and mission operations, such as bolts, lens caps, clamp bands, auxiliary motors, etc. The debris presents a threat because of their high speeds, which ranges between 15 and 20 km/sec. Also called space junk, space waste, orbital debris.