Electromagnetic scattering modeling of space solid particle clouds for engineering applications

This paper addresses the modeling of electromagnetic scattering characteristics of solid particle clouds in space environments, conducting modeling and numerical simulation research suitable for engineering applications. Special attention is given to the influence of key parameters such as particle size and cloud spatial density on scattering characteristics. The study first establishes a single-particle scattering model considering particle size effects based on the Generalized Rayleigh-Gans (GRG) approximation theoretical framework. Subsequently, combining Vector Radiative Transfer Theory (VRT) with the Complex Point Scatterer Approximation (CPSA), a scattering model applicable to particle clouds of different densities is developed. For numerical validation, the computational accuracy and applicable conditions of the proposed model are verified through comparisons with results from commercial simulation software. The GRG-based model effectively resolves the limitations of traditional Rayleigh approximations in handling larger particles, while the VRT-CPSA hybrid approach balances computational efficiency and accuracy for dense particle clouds. Sensitivity analyses further quantify threshold conditions for particle interactions under different spatial distributions. The engineering modeling method established in this paper holds significant application value in fields such as radar detection and identification of space targets, situational awareness assessment, and decision-making.