A figure resembling a side-shaped mushroom cloud is an aluminum 2.8 mm bullet moving at a speed of 7 km / s. On the image she pierced the spacecraft screen.
Scientists used a gas pistol at the Fraunhofer Institute for High-Speed Dynamics (Germany) to test a new material. It is considered as an option to protect the spacecraft from debris in orbit.
In the new project, various types of fibrous metallic laminates are being studied - several thin metallic layers connected with a composite material. Increasing the amount of orbital debris increases the risk for all missions in Earth orbit. Fragments are especially dangerous, as the impact falls at a speed of several km / s. Large pieces can be traced to the ISS has time to change course. But fragments with a size of less than 1 cm are difficult to find with a radar and smaller satellites are at risk. To avoid damage, use different methods of protection. The last analysis showed a greater efficiency of laminates made of fiber material compared with the usual aluminum screens.
The point is visible in the frame, after which the aluminum bullet broke into a cloud of fragments and vapor. In the future we plan to hold a demonstration in orbit in CubeSat.
