Skip to main content

EuroMir '95: First results from the dustwatch-P detectors of the European Space Exposure Facility

Shrine, Nick R.G., McDonnell, J.A.M., Burchell, Mark J., Gardner, David J., Jolly, Harjinder S., Ratcliff, P.R., Thomson, R. (1997) EuroMir '95: First results from the dustwatch-P detectors of the European Space Exposure Facility. Advances in Space Research, 20 (8). pp. 1481-1484. ISSN 0273-1177. (doi:10.1016/S0273-1177(97)00421-3) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:5079)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0273-1177(97)00421-3

Abstract

A small, passive, retrievable dust detector/collector experiment (Dustwatch-P), based on thin foil and aerogel capture cells has been developed at the University of Rent by the Unit for Space Sciences & Astrophysics (USSA). It was mounted in the European Space Exposure Facility (ESEF) designed by the Institut d'Astrophysique Spatial (Orsay, France) and flown on the joint ESA/Russian Space Agency EuroMir '95 mission. The experiment sampled micrometeoroids and space debris in the immediate vicinity of a large space facility (Mit) and offers the opportunity for detailed particle characterisation by intact capture. Dustwatch-P was housed in 2 ESEF cassettes, each contained: 1849mm(2) of aluminium foil capture cells, 2.4 mu m and 5 mu m thick respectively, mounted above a pure copper plate; 8450mm(2) of 12mm thick silica aerogel (density of 0.1g/cm(3) and pore size of approximately 0.07 mu m). 8650mm of experiment-holder surfaces (highly polished 6061-T6 aluminium alloy) were also used for detection. The foils and experiment-holder surfaces readily give a flux measurement for comparison to previous data with chemical classification of any impactor residues. The aerogel was intended to capture, with minimal modification, incident hypervelocity particles. Dustwatch-P was exposed to the space environment when the ESEF cassettes were opened during Mir EVA's on the 20/21 October '95. The cassettes were hermetically sealed in space for return to Earth in February '96. We present the first results of post-flight analysis. A hypervelocity perforation has been found in each foil and a region of ejecta impacts indicating a large impact in the vicinity. This impact rate gives a higher flux than expected, possibly due to a debris cloud.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/S0273-1177(97)00421-3
Additional information: Conference Information: BO.8, BO.3 and BO.5 Symposium of COSPAR Scientific Commission B on Hypervelocity Impacts in Space and Planetology, at the 31st COSPAR Scientific Assembly BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, JUL 14-21, 1996 Comm Space Res; Int Astron Union; Int Union Geodesy & Geophys; European Space Agcy; European Geophys Soc Special Issue Hypervelocity Impacts in Space and Planetology
Subjects: Q Science
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Depositing User: Mark Burchell
Date Deposited: 19 Jul 2009 14:40 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:43 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/5079 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

McDonnell, J.A.M..

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Burchell, Mark J..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2680-8943
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.