Spacecraft survivability in the meteoroid and debris environmentA number of methods for providing adequate protection from meteoroid and orbital debris impact are available to space vehicle designers. Several techniques to reduce the risks from meteoroid and debris (M&D) impact are presented and assessed in the context of Space Station Freedom (SSF) applications. Evaluations of these options were made using BUMPER, a computer program to perform M&D analyses. M&D survivability can be improved by conducting an in-depth analysis of spacecraft penetration risks to reveal weak areas of the design and to determine optimal distribution of shielding and/or protection capability around the space vehicle. This paper compares enhanced hypervelocity impact shielding techniques that are more weight efficient than conventional shielding approaches. Other design and operational strategies to reduce meteoroid and debris risks are also discussed.
Document ID
19920055938
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Christiansen, Eric L. (NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Hyde, James L. (NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Snell, Greg (Lockheed Engineering and Sciences Co. Houston, TX, United States)