Space Debris won't de-orbit

[KerBlammo]

I've been trying to limit space debris while constructing refueling stations in HKO and Munar orbit. This first stage (4 boosters clustered around the second stage) is only on a sub orbital trajectory so no problem there. The upper (transfer) stage has enough left over fuel to de-orbit itself after delivering its payload so no problem there either. Its the second stage that is the problem.

I thought I was being clever but ditching it while in a ~650km x 35-45km orbit even though it still had a little fuel left & using the transfer stage to circularize before rendezvousing with a station at ~2500 km or in Munar orbit. My thinking was that with a pe of <45 km the debris (2nd stage, separator ring and nose cone) would de-orbit after a 2 or 3 orbits. But it doesn't. It seemingly just whizzes through the upper atmosphere many times with no penalty.

If I "fly" the debris it will burn up after no more than 3 orbits, but left to itself its "on rails". Is this a "feature" of the "physics bubble"? Do I have to ride along with the debris for it burn up? After 7 (of 8) fuel tank and two solar panel boom launches there is a lot of stuff still up there that I was hoping would go away by itself...

Edited May 19, 2015 by KerBlammo

[Tex]

Yes, you must fly with it in order for the orbit to degrade. On-rails means it doesn't simulate physics anymore, so it would be possible to have an orbit with a periapse of, say 500m above sea level.

I recommend adjusting the Max. Persistent Debris option in your options if you're a stickler for it, or if you want the challenge than go and de-orbit stuff manually.

[OddFunction]

Forgive me if you know this,

But have you tried going to the 'tracking station', selecting the debris from the menu on the left, and then click red 'terminate' button at the bottom-left? This should accomplish what you are trying to do without the headache.

Good luck!

[Red Iron Crown]

Yes, you must fly with it in order for the orbit to degrade. On-rails means it doesn't simulate physics anymore, so it would be possible to have an orbit with a periapse of, say 500m above sea level.

I believe on-rails objects in atmo get deleted if they go below a certain altitude, was about 25km before 1.0, not sure if it has changed.

[Tex]

Oh yeah! Thanks, forgot about that.

[KerBlammo]

Thanks everyone. I thought this was the case. I know I can delete stuff from the tracking station, but I thought it would be nice if it went away by itself. I do have surplus fuel on these launches so maybe for future ones I can ditch the 2nd stage with a pe below 25km and see if it gets deleted automatically.

Edited May 19, 2015 by KerBlammo

[Red Iron Crown]

Thanks everyone. I thought this was the case. I know I can delete stuff from the tracking station, but I thought it would be nice if it went away by itself. I do have surplus fuel on these launches so maybe for future ones I can ditch the 2nd stage with a pe below 25km and see if it gets deleted automatically.

You don't necessarily have to ditch it below 25km, just ditch it before orbit is established. If it falls below 25km later it should be automatically deleted.

[MarvinKitFox]

My thinking was that with a pe of <45 km the debris (2nd stage, separator ring and nose cone) would de-orbit after a 2 or 3 orbits. But it doesn't. It seemingly just whizzes through the upper atmosphere many times with no penalty.

You must remember that the Kerbal universe is very young and inexperienced. Not to mention lazy.

Unless you have your point-of-view supervising it, it doesn't bother to calculate air friction at all.

Treat it like a young child. Supervise its actions, and it will behave.

Leave it to do its own thing and... it won't.