Orbital debris: Threat analysis and satellite security compliances

The increasing amount of space debris is a big threat for satellite operations in low Earth orbit. Over the last few decades, there are more than thousand active satellites working in orbit. They have been producing a lot of different sized debris and thus causing increased debris density in the orbit. Since the starting of space operation, debris has been being produced significantly. Thus operation of active satellites are becoming more vulnerable day by day. This paper investigates the increased threats posed by orbital debris. It is forecast that, the average probability of debris collision has increased enormously and the probable interval of debris collision has decreased thereby. According to the forecast, debris collision period in 2063 or later will be less than one year or frequent within a day. That raises the concerns about satellites' security. So, greater density of debris in orbit is causing substantial decrease of collision period and consequently, substantial increase of threat levels to existing satellites. Therefore, decreasing the amount of debris will be crucial for the protection of active satellites. Here, impacts of different sized debris on space objects have been furnished. Finally, year wise future collision interval has been calculated and presented. This paper also provides general guidelines and compliances of satellite security.