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  • Detecting Orbital Debris Using Albedo: Index:

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     Title of Lesson: Orbital Debris and Albedo - Middle School  /High School                                   Updated August 2023

    Grade (Age) Level: Grades 5-8 (Ages 10-13), Grades 9 -12 (Ages 14-18)

    Written by: Frances Dellutri  and Lynne Zielinski. 

    Standards:  

    CCCS:   6.8.3, 6.8.7: http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/RST/6-8/
    NGSS:  MS-ESS1-3; MS-ESS3-2,3; MS-ETS1-1,4:  see http://www.nextgenscience.org/search-standards

    Topic: Art, Astronomy, albedo, orbital debris, debris detection

    Summary: 

    Orbital debrs is a looming problem!  Space lawmakers are scrambling how to control the space above the earth from manmade objects and then there is the problem of natural objects coming close to or even striking Earth!

    This lesson provides an introduction to orbital debris to set the stage. Taking a look at space object sizes, characteristics, and distance from Earth can be greatly defined by using albedo. The concept of albedo (the ability of surfaces to reflect sunlight) is then introduced in an overview of the “Albedo Experiment,” where students will be guided through an experiment to determine the light reflecting from ‘orbiting’ objects. Concepts in this activity illustrate how albedo is employed in the study of space, specifically, in the detection of orbital debris.  


    When we look at the moon from Earth or the Earth from space, we are seeing reflected light, albedo. Earth is reflecting the sun's light energy and the moon is reflecting light energy from the sun and second hand sun reflection from Earth. Scientists have learned to use albedo in determining the size and shape of space objects that cannot be captured by a camera. The Air Force Phillips Laboratory in Maui, Hawaii uses albedo as one source to conduct measurements to characterize the orbital debris LEO environment. The U.S. Space Surveillance network primarily tracks deep space objects (those with orbital periods greater than 225 minutes) using optical sensors that detect reflected sunlight.  The observed brightness of a space object depends on many factors besides its size, such as its orientation, its surface composition and the viewing geometry.
    This experiment gives a friendly hands-on demonstration of determining and analyzing albedo and takes into account a space object in a mock revolving orientation.

    This project works to help the learner become acquainted with the following:


    1. What is Orbital Debris? 

    2. Overview of Albedo Experiment

    3. Procedure for the Experiment

    4. Teacher Feedback to the Academy

    5. Discussion Forum

  • 1. What is Orbital Debris?

    The image is from the embedded video showing space debris orbiting Earth.Earth's orbital environment includes natural debris from the universe but the addition of man-made debris has changed that environment since the 1957 launch of  the 58 cm shiny metal satellite Sputnik I.  The information that follows explains the dangerous nature of the increasing amounts of orbital debris and the importance of tracking the debris to formulate plans for its mitigation. The following portions of this lesson allow students to become scientists in understanding how orbital space debris can be tracked using albedo.


    If you cannot view the video in YouTube, click here, Space Debris 1957-2016.


    • resource icon
      A Primer for Orbital Debris Fișier


      Diagram shows a red ribbon around Earth representing the path of orbital debris with a narrowing of the ribbon at one point.The primer by Aerospace Corporation is an excellent resource for learning about orbital debris.   Debris origins, sizes with comparison to common objects and impact effects are noted in this outstanding article by Dr. Robert Thompson.



      Picture depicting Agena upper stage, space debris as a result of spacecraft launch! A press release on Dr. Roger Thompson is shown in this image.