Orbital debris effects from space-based ballistic missile interception

Effects of natural (meteoroid), manufactured, and missile interception orbital debris (OD) on satellite assets are quantitatively assessed. Enhanced levels of OD generated from either ground- or space-based interceptors are not likely to affect significantly space-based (satellite) assets if the OD generated from ballistic missile warhead interception is limited in mass, velocity, and transit time and is essentially suborbital debris. The primary, low-level threat to space-based weapons and satellites appears to originate from background natural (meteoroids) and OD from previous space missions.