This paper describes a method for characterizing the 1–3 mm low Earth orbit (LEO) debris environment using satellite perturbation data (unexpected, sudden orbital movements not attributable to other sources), evidenced by changes in Global Positioning System position, temporary breaks in communication links, and other methods. This technique is used to point out a potential overprediction of risk in existing NASA orbital debris models. The paper then proposes a public policy approach for collecting and cataloging this information so that NASA can use the information to update their orbital debris models. Government and private industry can then use the improved debris models to more accurately estimate the 1–3 mm orbital debris population their spacecraft may encounter, develop appropriate debris impact mitigation strategies, improve spacecraft designs, and gain a better understanding for the root causes of potential failures.

本文介绍了一种利用卫星扰动数据（不可归因于其他来源的意外，突然的轨道运动）表征1-3毫米低地球轨道（LEO）碎片环境的方法，该方法通过全球定位系统位置的变化，通信的临时中断来证明链接和其他方法。该技术用于指出现有NASA轨道碎片模型中潜在的风险高估。然后，论文提出了一种收集和分类此信息的公共政策方法，以便NASA可以使用该信息更新其轨道碎片模型。然后，政府和私人企业可以使用改进的碎片模型来更准确地估算航天器可能遇到的1-3毫米轨道碎片，并制定适当的碎片影响缓解策略，