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Experiment: S0001

Experiment Title: Space Debris Impact Experiment

Original Principal Investigator(s): Humes, Mr. Donald H. - Invest. Role: Original, Humes, Mr. Donald H. - Invest. Role: Present,

Experiment Description:

Models of the near-Earth meteoroid environment have been based on measurements by many different types of detectors, each measuring over its own mass range with no overlapping of measurements. As a consequence, an uncertain fitting together of the data has been used to estimate the population and size distribution of meteoroids near the Earth. This experiment used aluminum plates as detectors to detect meteoroids over a very large size range. A single factor that converts crater size to meteoroid mass can be applied to all the data.

The Meteoroid and Space Debris Impact Experiment was directed at both the hazard of impact damage and the nature of our solar system. Meteoroids are small interplanetary particles that travel through our solar system undetected and whose encounter can only be treated statistically. They are natural particles that are in orbit about the sun. Meteoroids that pass near the Earth are drawn toward the Earth by its gravitational field and some strike spacecraft as they speed toward the atmosphere. Meteoroids have been considered a hazard to spacecraft since the beginning of space exploration. NASA has published models of the meteoroid environment near the Earth and in interplanetary space, and a design criteria document for protection against meteoroids. But the interest in meteoroids is broader than the concern about the hazard they present to spacecraft. Meteoroids may be unaltered primal material whose composition and orbital paths are important clues to the origin and evolution of the solar system.

Man-made debris is a significant component of the space debris environment near the Earth. Space debris is the man-made material left in space as a result of our space activity. It ranges in size from microscopic fragments created during explosions in space to large spent rocket motors. Some man-made debris escaped the Earth's gravity but most was left in orbit about the Earth. That space debris is still in orbit about the Earth is of concern as a potential hazard to spacecraft. Large pieces of debris are tracked and cataloged and possible collisions with the Space Transportation System (STS) orbiter are checked for each mission so that evasive measures can be taken if necessary. Small pieces cannot be tracked and their encounter, like that of meteoroids, must be treated statistically. NASA now has a model of the man-made orbit debris environment to be used in hazard analysis. Future spacecraft explosions, whether accidental or intentional, can result in millions of fragments, each capable of inflicting substantial impact damage. Such fragments can remain in orbit for years.

Associated Tray(s) Tray Location: A12 - Orientation: 81.9 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: B01 - Orientation: 111.9 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: B02 - Orientation: 141.9 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: B06 - Orientation: 98.1 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: B08 - Orientation: 38.1 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: A06 - Orientation: 98.1 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: B11 - Orientation: 51.9 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: D06 - Orientation: 98.1 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: C04 - Orientation: 158.1 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: A05 - Orientation: 128.1 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: C07 - Orientation: 68.1 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: H05 - Orientation: Space-facing end, Tray Location: D02 - Orientation: 141.9 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: E01 - Orientation: 111.9 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: E04 - Orientation: 158.1 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: E07 - Orientation: 68.1 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: E11 - Orientation: 51.9 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: F01 - Orientation: 111.9 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: F03 - Orientation: 171.9 degrees off ram incidence angle; trailing edge, Tray Location: F05 - Orientation: 128.1 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: F07 - Orientation: 68.1 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: F10 - Orientation: 21.9 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: F11 - Orientation: 51.9 degrees off ram incidence angle, Tray Location: G04 - Orientation: Earth-facing end, Tray Location: G08 - Orientation: Earth-facing end

Photograph Classification: Prelaunch

Associated Photograph(s):
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