This work proposes to model the space environment as a stochastic dynamic network where each node is a group of objects of a given class, or species, and their relationship is represented by stochastic links. A set of stochastic dynamic equations, governing the evolution of the network, are derived from the network structure and topology. It will be shown that the proposed system of stochastic dynamic equations well reproduces existing results on the evolution of the space environment. The analysis of the structure of the network and relationships among node can help to understand which species of objects and orbit regimes are more critical and affect the most the future evolution of the space environment. In analogy with ecological networks, we develop a theory of the carrying capacity of space based on the stability of equilibria of the network dynamics. Some examples are presented starting from the current population of resident objects and different launch traffic forecast models. It will be shown how the proposed network model can be used to study the effect of the adoption of different policies on the execution of collision avoidance and post mission disposal manoeuvres.

翻译：本研究提出将空间环境建模为一个随机动态网络，其中每个节点代表给定类别或物种的一组物体，其相互关系由随机连接表示。从网络结构与拓扑出发，推导出一组支配网络演化的随机动态方程。研究表明，所提出的随机动态方程组能够很好地复现现有关于空间环境演化的研究成果。通过分析网络结构及节点间关系，有助于理解哪些物体物种和轨道区域更为关键，并对空间环境的未来演化产生最大影响。类比生态网络，我们基于网络动力学平衡态的稳定性，建立了空间承载能力理论。研究以当前在轨物体群体为起点，结合不同发射流量预测模型，给出了若干示例。研究将展示如何利用所提出的网络模型，分析不同政策对碰撞规避和任务后离轨机动执行效果的影响。