This paper documents the data collected from two hypervelocity micro-meteoroid orbital debris (MMOD) impact events where the shuttle payload bay door radiator sandwich panel was completely perforated. Scanning Electron Microscope/Energy-Dispersive x-ray Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) analysis of impact residue provided evidence to identify the source of each impact. Impact site features that indicate projectile directionality are discussed, along with hypervelocity impact testing on representative samples conducted to simulate the impact event. The paper provides results of a study of impact risks for the size of particles that caused the MMOD damage and the regions of the orbiter vehicle that would be vulnerable to an equivalent projectile
Investigation of Orbital Debris Impacts on Shuttle Radiator Panels
50th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures ; 2009 ; Palm Springs, CA, United States
2009-05-04
Conference paper
No indication
English
Investigation of Shuttle Radiator Micro-Meteoroid Orbital Debris (MMOD) Damage
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2009
|Space technology - Space Shuttle radiator panels modified
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