Minimizing Air Traffic Disruption from Uncontrolled Space Debris Reentries
Uncontrolled space debris reentries pose a significant challenge to air traffic management (ATM), often requiring widespread airspace closures to mitigate the perceived risks to aviation safety. In a previous study, we established the probability of collision during such events to be in the order of...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Engineering Proceedings |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4591/90/1/75 |
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| author | Irina Beatrice Stefanescu Cristian Emil Constantinescu Octavian Thor Pleter |
| author_facet | Irina Beatrice Stefanescu Cristian Emil Constantinescu Octavian Thor Pleter |
| author_sort | Irina Beatrice Stefanescu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Uncontrolled space debris reentries pose a significant challenge to air traffic management (ATM), often requiring widespread airspace closures to mitigate the perceived risks to aviation safety. In a previous study, we established the probability of collision during such events to be in the order of 10<sup>−7</sup> and classified the event as “extremely remote” but requiring mitigation action. Analyzing the temporal dynamics, we concluded that any given location remains at risk for no more than one minute. Building on these findings, this paper will investigate advanced mitigation strategies to reduce the operational impact of such reentries. We propose utilizing dynamic airspace allocation techniques, using information derived by enhanced reentry prediction models and real-time tracking. Transforming the spatial problem of airspace closures into a temporal one, the study demonstrates the feasibility of confining closures to dynamically moving zones with minimal disruption. A simulation for the Long March 5B reentry case study illustrates the potential for such measures to improve efficiency while maintaining safety standards. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7db00a702e0a470bab36761a05cbc39f |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2673-4591 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Engineering Proceedings |
| spelling | doaj-art-7db00a702e0a470bab36761a05cbc39f2025-08-20T02:21:06ZengMDPI AGEngineering Proceedings2673-45912025-03-019017510.3390/engproc2025090075Minimizing Air Traffic Disruption from Uncontrolled Space Debris ReentriesIrina Beatrice Stefanescu0Cristian Emil Constantinescu1Octavian Thor Pleter2Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, RomaniaFaculty of Aerospace Engineering, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, RomaniaFaculty of Aerospace Engineering, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 060042 Bucharest, RomaniaUncontrolled space debris reentries pose a significant challenge to air traffic management (ATM), often requiring widespread airspace closures to mitigate the perceived risks to aviation safety. In a previous study, we established the probability of collision during such events to be in the order of 10<sup>−7</sup> and classified the event as “extremely remote” but requiring mitigation action. Analyzing the temporal dynamics, we concluded that any given location remains at risk for no more than one minute. Building on these findings, this paper will investigate advanced mitigation strategies to reduce the operational impact of such reentries. We propose utilizing dynamic airspace allocation techniques, using information derived by enhanced reentry prediction models and real-time tracking. Transforming the spatial problem of airspace closures into a temporal one, the study demonstrates the feasibility of confining closures to dynamically moving zones with minimal disruption. A simulation for the Long March 5B reentry case study illustrates the potential for such measures to improve efficiency while maintaining safety standards.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4591/90/1/75ATMspace debrisreentryairspace closureFUAAFUA |
| spellingShingle | Irina Beatrice Stefanescu Cristian Emil Constantinescu Octavian Thor Pleter Minimizing Air Traffic Disruption from Uncontrolled Space Debris Reentries Engineering Proceedings ATM space debris reentry airspace closure FUA AFUA |
| title | Minimizing Air Traffic Disruption from Uncontrolled Space Debris Reentries |
| title_full | Minimizing Air Traffic Disruption from Uncontrolled Space Debris Reentries |
| title_fullStr | Minimizing Air Traffic Disruption from Uncontrolled Space Debris Reentries |
| title_full_unstemmed | Minimizing Air Traffic Disruption from Uncontrolled Space Debris Reentries |
| title_short | Minimizing Air Traffic Disruption from Uncontrolled Space Debris Reentries |
| title_sort | minimizing air traffic disruption from uncontrolled space debris reentries |
| topic | ATM space debris reentry airspace closure FUA AFUA |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4591/90/1/75 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT irinabeatricestefanescu minimizingairtrafficdisruptionfromuncontrolledspacedebrisreentries AT cristianemilconstantinescu minimizingairtrafficdisruptionfromuncontrolledspacedebrisreentries AT octavianthorpleter minimizingairtrafficdisruptionfromuncontrolledspacedebrisreentries |