Publications Details
Impact-generated atmospheric plumes: The threat to satellites in low-earth orbit
The knowledge gained from the observations and simulations of the impact of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 (SL9) with Jupiter has led us to consider the threat of impact-generated plumes to satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO). Preliminary simulations suggest that impacts of a size that recur about once per century on Earth generate plumes that rise to nearly 1000 km over an area thousands of km in diameter. Interacting plumes from multiple impacts rise to higher altitudes. Detailed modeling of such plumes is needed to quantify this threat to satellites in LEO. Careful observations of high-energy atmospheric entry events using both satellite and ground-based instruments would provide validation for these computational models. © 1996 American Society of Civil Engineers.