Explanation of the “May Swarm” signature in the LDEF IDE impact data

The Interplanetary Dust Experiment (IDE) carried by the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) satellite detected a large number of small particle impacts. The dataset shows impact events recurring for a number of LDEF orbits. Such events show signatures of particle clouds that intersect the orbit of LDEF. In an effort to identify the impact of particles released during solid rocket motor burns, a new look at the IDE impact records was taken. The generation of dust particles due to solid rocket burns and a close encounter analysis of the released objects with LDEFʹs orbital path was simulated. An agreement of a specific IDE impact feature occurring in May 1984 with the firing of the apogee kick motors of the satellites WESTAR 6 and PALAPA B2 could be derived.