Donald J. Kessler
Encyclopedia
Donald J. Kessler is an American astrophysicist and former NASA
scientist known for his studies regarding space debris
.
Kessler worked at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas
, as part of NASA's Environmental Effects Project Office. While there, he developed what is now known as the Kessler syndrome
, which posits that collisions between space debris become increasingly likely as the density of space debris increases in orbit around the earth, and a cascade effect results as each collision in turn creates more debris that can cause further collisions. Kessler first published his ideas in 1978, in an academic paper titled "Collision Frequency of Artificial Satellites: The Creation of a Debris Belt." The paper established Kessler's reputation, and NASA subsequently made him the head of the newly-created Orbital Debris Program Office to study the issue and issue guidelines to slow the accumulation of space debris.
Kessler retired from NASA in 1996, and lives in Asheville, North Carolina
. In 2009, he gave an address to the first International Conference on Orbital Debris Removal in Arlington, Virginia, co-sponsored by NASA and DARPA.
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
scientist known for his studies regarding space debris
Space debris
Space debris, also known as orbital debris, space junk, and space waste, is the collection of objects in orbit around Earth that were created by humans but no longer serve any useful purpose. These objects consist of everything from spent rocket stages and defunct satellites to erosion, explosion...
.
Kessler worked at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, as part of NASA's Environmental Effects Project Office. While there, he developed what is now known as the Kessler syndrome
Kessler syndrome
The Kessler syndrome , proposed by NASA scientist Donald J...
, which posits that collisions between space debris become increasingly likely as the density of space debris increases in orbit around the earth, and a cascade effect results as each collision in turn creates more debris that can cause further collisions. Kessler first published his ideas in 1978, in an academic paper titled "Collision Frequency of Artificial Satellites: The Creation of a Debris Belt." The paper established Kessler's reputation, and NASA subsequently made him the head of the newly-created Orbital Debris Program Office to study the issue and issue guidelines to slow the accumulation of space debris.
Kessler retired from NASA in 1996, and lives in Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
. In 2009, he gave an address to the first International Conference on Orbital Debris Removal in Arlington, Virginia, co-sponsored by NASA and DARPA.