Alumina Particles Exhausted from Soild-Propellant Rocket Motor As a Potential Source of Space Debris

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Exhaust plume of solid-propellant rocket motor contains a considerable amount of alumimum oxide (alumina; Al_2O_3) particle. The diameter of these particle has been correlated by rocket motor characteristics for the precise estimation of the motor performance. Although they range several micro-m to several tens micro-m, they may be potential 'Space Debris' in case they remain in orbit. One of the ISAS experiences through the research and development of solid propellant rocket motors show good agreement with previous research results in terms of a mean particle size and its distribution. A simple analysis for the evaluation of an orbital motion of such particles exhausted by apogee kick motor of geosynchronous satellites shows that there is a possibility of remaining for relatively long life in orbit, if the particle size is large. Data of particle diameter distribution suggest more than 0.01% of total propellant weight remains in orbit for an appreciable term as alumina particles whose sizes are greater than 20 micro-m.
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