Resident Space Object Breakup Toolkit

Orbital Debris presents a significant risk to all Resident Space Objects (RSOs), including active spacecraft, and affects all historical, current, and future missions. The development of tools to characterize small debris in LEO and cis-lunar space is generally recognized as an important investment. The NASA Standard Satellite Breakup Model (SSBM) has been cited by over 750 works since 2001 and is the gold-standard for simulating on orbit-breakup events domestically and by ESA, CNES, JAXA, and many industry partners. However, it does not currently include the NASA Engineering Safety Center (NESC)-requested debris dependencies upon mass density (material) and debris shape—both significant risk drivers—or adequately reflect the dynamism of the orbital debris environment. This project addresses the shortfall and limitations of the 2001 SSBM by (1) developing a visualization toolkit for presentation to wider audiences and (2) conducting research and development efforts to facilitate updating the SSBM and ensuring its ability to be disseminated in the same fashion (and with the same impact) as the 2001 model. The new model will: -Include NESC requested mass density and fragment shape -Reflect the dynamic space economy and environment and be applicable to supporting (design, protection, operations) sustained cislunar orbital and surface activities -Be capable of publishing the model and disseminating it to the worldwide user community.

The team anticipates tools which draw from Probability Density Functions (PDFs) or similar analytical or semi-analytical functions and processes to characterize the multi-dimensional orbital debris fragment ensemble. In addition, hosting the web application for the greater public gives the global orbital debris community access to a validated satellite breakup model and accompanying analysis tools to complement the existing ORDEM (Orbital Debris Engineering Model) and DAS (Debris Assessment Suite) tools.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.