Augmentation of orbital debris shielding for Space Station FreedomAugmentation concepts for the Space Station Freedom (SSF) are described in detail and advantages and disadvantages of various proposals are evaluated. It is pointed out that early augmentation of SSF debris shielding, which would take place 6-9 years after the First Element Launch, could provide the greatest advantages to the program in terms of weight, cost, and safety benefits. Potential augmentation concepts include an attached, rigid aluminum second bumper; the multi-shock shield concept; a mesh double bumper concept; a debris shield augmentation element; a multi-shock airbag protection concept for 2-10 cm debris; and a debris sweeper. Requirements for and operation and deployment of these concepts are described in detail and an example of the augmentation effect on cumulative SSF probability of no-failure from debris and meteoroid impacts is given. An estimate of predicted encounter rates between debris and a 100 m radius sphere around SSF is presented.
Document ID
19910025458
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Christiansen, Eric L. (NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Crews, Jeanne Lee (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Horn, Jennifer R. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)