Hypervelocity impact effects on spacecraft

Details Hypervelocity impact effects on spacecraft Hypervelocity impact effects on spacecraft

Nov 2001

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001esasp.495..533d&link_type=abstract

In: Proceedings of the Meteoroids 2001 Conference, 6 - 10 August 2001, Kiruna, Sweden. Ed.: Barbara Warmbein. ESA SP-495, Noordw

Computer Science

Meteoroids, Spacecraft

Scientific paper

Every spacecraft in orbit is exposed to a certain flux of impacting meteoroid and space debris particles. These impacts occur at typical velocities between a few and some tens of kilometers per second. Sub-micron and micron sized particles can lead to degradation of sensitive spacecraft surfaces and equipment, like mirrors, optical sensors and thermal control surfaces. Somewhat larger particles with diameters in the size range tens to hundreds of microns can penetrate outer spacecraft coatings and foils as well as solar cells. Millimeter sized particles can penetrate exposed tanks and seriously damage certain equipment. Impactors of cm size or larger will typically lead to complete destruction of the impacted spacecraft part. In addition to these mechanical effects, every hypervelocity impact creates plasma. Such impact-generated plasma can lead to electromagnetic interference with spacecraft systems and payloads. This paper gives an overview of hypervelocity impact effects on spacecraft and also briefly addresses some common protection measures.

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