Analysis of Space Debris Re-Entry over the Arabian Peninsula (2004 to 2018)

Abstract

As a result of the ever-increasing number of space debris, space agencies all over the world are developing their own space debris monitoring and tracking systems. Due to the lack of any formal study of this nature in the Arabian Peninsula, this paper aims to remedy this by performing a study into space debris re-entry over the Arabian Peninsula for the last 15 years (2004-2018) using data provided by the Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC). JSpOC provides information produced using radar measurements and various computational techniques that establish it as the leading provider of space debris data. The rate of space debris re-entry has been found to be accelerating during the study period, with growth rate increasing every 5 years. This study serves as a precursor to a more comprehensive analysis of debris re-entry over the Arabian Peninsula and the creation of a system to fulfill the regional need for space debris tracking.