A brand-new material has been developed to protect satellites and spacecraft from space debris and small meteorites. This material, named “Space Armor,” has many advantages over previous solutions.
Earth’s orbit poses a constant threat to both satellites and the astronauts on the International Space Station due to countless fragments of space debris and micro-meteorite particles, which are increasing daily and moving at speeds exceeding 25,750 kilometers per hour. These hyper-velocity debris impacts can puncture fuel tanks or shatter critical structures.
In response to this danger, humanity has developed a very durable protective composite material it calls “Space Armor.” Produced by Marietta, Georgia-based company Atomic-6 using a specialized fiber-resin manufacturing method, Space Armor is introduced as a multi-functional shield capable of protecting spacecraft.
Atomic-6 CEO Trevor Smith states that composite materials have long been viewed as the ideal solution for lightweight micro-meteoroid and orbital debris protection. Smith says, “Everyone knows that composites could potentially yield lighter and stronger shields, and we’ve turned that vision into reality.”
The Problem with Old Shields and the Advantage of the New Armor
For decades, the main solution widely used to mitigate the effects of space debris was the “Whipple Shield,” developed by astronomer Fred Whipple in the 1940s. This structure typically acted as a sacrificial buffer, usually made of aluminum, which absorbed the initial impact and fragmented. However, a major disadvantage of Whipple Shields, despite being functional, was that upon impact, they would shatter, and the resulting fragments could turn into harmful secondary debris, posing a risk of striking other orbiting satellites or astronauts.
Space Armor promises a revolution precisely at this point. The Space Armor tiles, produced with Atomic-6‘s specialized fiber-resin manufacturing method, provide superior protection by reducing the risk of this secondary debris.
The tile-shaped design of Space Armor offers another critical advantage. A satellite casing covered with these tiles not only protects against impacts but also offers communication transparency. This means the system can allow vital radio communications to pass through smoothly from the satellite while keeping the communication equipment safe.
Atomic-6 CEO Smith stated that it took about 18 months to transform the Space Armor tiles from an idea to a final product. The product is offered in standard hexagonal tiles, but the company indicates that it can technically be manufactured into almost any shape desired.
Space Armor has undergone extensive hyper-velocity testing on Earth using specialized projectile-launching “guns” that simulate small-scale space debris impacts. Atomic-6 reports that they were extremely impressed with the results of these tests. The company also announced that it will begin sending Space Armor tiles into orbit for satellite customers next year.
You Might Also Like;
- We Selected 10 Series Similar to Stranger Things for Those Who Love It
- Where and How is Silver Used in Electric Vehicles?
- Hyundai Unveils Its Multi-Purpose Wheeled Robot
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
