Team: 7
School: Socorro High
Area of Science: Earth and Space Science, Physics
Proposal:
Problem/Question: Space debris can be anything from rocks to parts to disabled spacecraft. Space debris sits in the earth's orbit, and often gets in the way of space missions and manmade satellites. Space debris is a problem today as satellites can be disabled or destroyed when they collide with space debris. Space debris is going to become more of a problem in the future as many of the satellites that we are launching today will fail at the end of their service life, and be left in the earth's orbit, creating more space debris which will have the ability to get in the way of satellites, as well as manned spacecraft. Space debris is a problem that will affect human exploration of space in the long run, and humanity needs a solution to that problem.
Proposed Solution: We propose to use a program utilizing physical relationships, such as Kepler's laws, universal gravitation, and centrifugal force that can accurately model the direction, speed, and flight path of space debris. This model can be used to test shapes or materials for spacecraft to determine if they would be able to withstand high-speed orbital debris impacting it while in orbit.
Measurable Criterion/Criteria: (How will we know we did it right?) We will know our model is accurate when the data displayed in our model is accurate and precise in comparison with the real world data collected by private companies and world space agencies.
Team Members:
Rio Sessions
Elias Zheng
Cody Johnston
Lucas Ward
Sponsoring Teacher: Jay Garcia