Optical survey of micrometeoroid and space debris impact features on EURECA

Drolshagen, G., McDonnell, J.A.M., Stevenson, T.J., Deshpande, S.P., Kay, L., Tanner, W.G., Mandeville, J.C., Carey, W.C., Maag, C.R., Griffiths, Andrew D., and others. (1996) Optical survey of micrometeoroid and space debris impact features on EURECA. Planetary and Space Science, 44 (4). pp. 317-340. ISSN 0032-0633. (doi:10.1016/0032-0633(95)00140-9) (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:18916)

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/10.1016/0032-0633(95)00140-9

Abstract

The results of an optical survey of impact features from micrometeorids and space debris on the EUropean REtrievable CArrier (EURECA) are presented. EURECA eas returned from space in June 1993 after almost 11 months in Low Earth Orbit. Impact features on all outer surfaces (mainly Multi Layer Insulation blankets and front and rear sides of solar arrays) were systematically recorded and measured. The size of recorded impact features ranges from about 30 mu m to 6.5 mm. High resolution micro-photographs were taken from 932 of the larger impact sites. The visibility of impacts differs largely for the different surfaces. Impacts are most easily detected on the cover glass of the solar cells. On these surfaces the measured cumulative flux of impact craters with a central pit diameter of 50 mu m or larger is approximate to 1.5 x 10(-6)/m(2) s(-1). On these glass surfaces, 225 out of 703 impacts which were measured in detail showed signs of directionality. The measurements, derived impact fluxes and a first evaluation of more detailed impact feature parameters and correlations are presented.

Item Type:	Article
DOI/Identification number:	10.1016/0032-0633(95)00140-9
Subjects:	Q Science > QB Astronomy
Divisions:	Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Physics and Astronomy
Depositing User:	M.A. Ziai
Date Deposited:	29 Jun 2011 09:23 UTC
Last Modified:	16 Nov 2021 09:57 UTC
Resource URI:	https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/18916 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

McDonnell, J.A.M..

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Depositors only (login required):

Altmetric

Download Statistics

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