Debris Measurements
Measurements of near-Earth orbital debris are accomplished by conducting ground-based
and space-based observations of the orbital debris environment. Data is acquired using
ground-based radars and optical telescopes, space-based sensors, analysis
of spacecraft surfaces returned from space, and ground-based laboratory experiments, such
as DebriSat. Some important data sources have been the U.S. Space Surveillance Network,
the Haystack X-Band Radar, and returned surfaces from the Solar Max, the Long Duration Exposure
Facility (LDEF), the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), and the Space Shuttle. The data provides
validation for the environment models and identifies the presence of new sources.