A Simulation of the Kessler Effect using Python
Added: 29 Nov 2023
Contributor:
Joe English
Resource type:
Game
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Guide/notes
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Project
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Simulation
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Textbook
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Activity
In this step-by-step tutorial you will develop a Python program that can be used to visualise a phenomena that occurs in space known as the Kessler Effect.
The Kessler Effect describes a scenario in which collisions between objects in low Earth Orbit (LEO) could cause a cascading effect, generating even more debris and potentially making space activities more challenging.
Space debris (often referred to as ‘space junk’) is represented on by rectangles created using the pygame library. The tutorial starts off with a simple program that displays a single rectangle and progressively build up a program that simulates the Kessler effect. In the process you will learn how to control the movement of objects on the screen as well as simulate objects bouncing off the screen edges and collisions with one another. By the end, you will have a hands-on understanding of how space debris can accumulate over time, leading to an increased risk of collisions in space.
This tutorial has been developed as part of a series of teaching and learning resources developed by Oide to promote EIRSAT-1, Ireland’s first ever satellite. Enjoy!
How it maps to the curriculum
- SC
- Computer Science
Strand: ALT3. Modelling and Simulations
Strand unit: Samples
Strand: Programming Technologies
Strand unit: Python
