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The use of silica aerogel to collect interplanetary dust in spaceWe report on impact experiments to evaluate the suitability of silica aerogel as a capture medium for interplanetary dust particles in space. The structure of silica aerogel is such that even micrometer-sized hypervelocity particles may sense it as a target of very low density; consequently shock stresses and temperatures due to impact should be minimized. We performed impact experiments in a light gas gun that employed projectiles manufactured from forsterite, pyrrhotite, and calcite. From these experiments we have developed techniques that will permit the successful extrication of interplanetary dust particles from aerogel. We note a rough correlation between increasing particle penetration lengths and decreasing aerogel density, and there is a poor correlation of track lengths with impact velocity at laboratory-attainable velocities of 5-7 km/s. We conclude that aerogel track length should not be used even as (crude) velocity indicators. Transmission electron microscope studies show the re covered particulate residues are encased in melted silica aerogel, which possibly protects the residue from some impact damage. Individual minerals within interplanetary dust are expected to exhibit differential survival, and may be vaporized, melted, dehydrated, or structurally reordered. However, some mineral grains should successfully be captured in an unmelted state at encounter velocities less than 8 km/s.
Document ID
19950012782
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Zolensky, Michael E.
(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Barrett, Ruth A.
(Lockheed Engineering and Sciences Co. Houston, TX., United States)
Hoerz, F.
(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Inst., Workshop on Particle Capture, Recovery and Velocity(Trajectory Measurement Technologies
Subject Category
Nonmetallic Materials
Accession Number
95N19197
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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