Protecting the Space Shuttle from Meteoroids and Orbital Debris

Protecting the Space Shuttle from Meteoroids and Orbital Debris
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 70
Release: 1998-01-09
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309059887

Download Protecting the Space Shuttle from Meteoroids and Orbital Debris Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

The space shuttle orbiter has already been struck many times by small meteoroids and orbital debris, but it has not been damaged severely. There is a real risk, however, that a meteoroid or debris impact could one day force the crew to abort a mission or might result in loss of life or loss of the shuttle itself. Protecting the Space Shuttle from Meteoroids and Orbital Debris assesses the magnitude of the problem and suggests changes that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration can make to reduce the risk to the shuttle and its crew. December

Limiting Future Collision Risk to Spacecraft

Limiting Future Collision Risk to Spacecraft
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 178
Release: 2011-11-16
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309219779

Download Limiting Future Collision Risk to Spacecraft Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

Derelict satellites, equipment and other debris orbiting Earth (aka space junk) have been accumulating for many decades and could damage or even possibly destroy satellites and human spacecraft if they collide. During the past 50 years, various National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) communities have contributed significantly to maturing meteoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) programs to their current state. Satellites have been redesigned to protect critical components from MMOD damage by moving critical components from exterior surfaces to deep inside a satellite's structure. Orbits are monitored and altered to minimize the risk of collision with tracked orbital debris. MMOD shielding added to the International Space Station (ISS) protects critical components and astronauts from potentially catastrophic damage that might result from smaller, untracked debris and meteoroid impacts. Limiting Future Collision Risk to Spacecraft: An Assessment of NASA's Meteoroid and Orbital Debris Program examines NASA's efforts to understand the meteoroid and orbital debris environment, identifies what NASA is and is not doing to mitigate the risks posed by this threat, and makes recommendations as to how they can improve their programs. While the report identified many positive aspects of NASA's MMOD programs and efforts including responsible use of resources, it recommends that the agency develop a formal strategic plan that provides the basis for prioritizing the allocation of funds and effort over various MMOD program needs. Other necessary steps include improvements in long-term modeling, better measurements, more regular updates of the debris environmental models, and other actions to better characterize the long-term evolution of the debris environment.

Orbital Debris

Orbital Debris
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 225
Release: 1995-07-07
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309051258

Download Orbital Debris Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

Since the beginning of space flight, the collision hazard in Earth orbit has increased as the number of artificial objects orbiting the Earth has grown. Spacecraft performing communications, navigation, scientific, and other missions now share Earth orbit with spent rocket bodies, nonfunctional spacecraft, fragments from spacecraft breakups, and other debris created as a byproduct of space operations. Orbital Debris examines the methods we can use to characterize orbital debris, estimates the magnitude of the debris population, and assesses the hazard that this population poses to spacecraft. Potential methods to protect spacecraft are explored. The report also takes a close look at the projected future growth in the debris population and evaluates approaches to reducing that growth. Orbital Debris offers clear recommendations for targeted research on the debris population, for methods to improve the protection of spacecraft, on methods to reduce the creation of debris in the future, and much more.

Space Station

Space Station
Author: Walter Froehlich
Publisher:
Total Pages: 56
Release: 1984
Genre: Space stations
ISBN:

Download Space Station Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

Hypervelocity Impact Analysis of International Space Station Whipple and Enhanced Stuffed Whipple Shields

Hypervelocity Impact Analysis of International Space Station Whipple and Enhanced Stuffed Whipple Shields
Author: Michael E. Kalinski
Publisher:
Total Pages: 299
Release: 2004-12
Genre:
ISBN: 9781423521068

Download Hypervelocity Impact Analysis of International Space Station Whipple and Enhanced Stuffed Whipple Shields Book in PDF, Epub and Kindle

The International Space Station (ISS) must be able to withstand the hypervelocity impacts of micrometeoroids and orbital debris that strike its many surfaces. In order to design and implement shielding which will prevent hull penetration or other operational losses, NASA must first model the orbital debris and micrometeoroid environment. Based upon this environment, special multi-stage shields called Whipple and Enhanced Stuffed Whipple Shields are developed and implemented to protect the ISS surfaces. Ballistic limit curves that establish shield failure criteria are determined via ground testing. These curves are functions of material strength, shield spacing, projectile size, shape and density, as well as a number of other variables. The combination of debris models and ballistic limit equations allows NASA to model risk to the ISS using a hydrocode called BUMPER. This thesis modifies and refines existing ballistic limit equations for U.S. Laboratory Module shields to account for the effects of the projectile (debris/ micro-meteoroid) densities. Using these refined ballistic limit equations this thesis also examines alternative shielding materials and configurations to optimize shield design for minimum mass and maximum stopping potential, proposing alternate shield designs for future NASA ground testing. A final goal of this thesis is to provide the Department of Defense a background in satellite shield theory and design in order to improve protection against micrometeoroid and orbital debris impacts on future space-based national systems.