Atomic-6 company, specializing in the development of new generation composite materials, presented Space Armor panels — the first system of protection against space debris, capable of withstanding hypervelocity impacts, without interfering with radio communication. These radiolucent composite elements prevent material fragmentation during impact and reduce the risk of secondary debris formation, setting a new standard for safety and sustainability in space operations.
Traditional Whipple screens, created back in the 1950s, use metal layers to absorb impacts of micrometeoroids and space debris. However, such designs significantly increase the mass of devices and block the passage of radio signals. in addition, upon collision, metal elements often disintegrate into small fragments, creating an additional threat to nearby satellites. Atomic-6 technology eliminates these problems thanks to the use of a new composite material, combining strength and radiolucency.
Space Armor is a lightweight modular panel, which can be produced in two versions:
- Space Armor Lite, capable of stopping fragments with a diameter of up to 3 mm (which is over 90% of all objects in low Earth orbit);
- Space Armor Max, designed for impact with particles with a diameter of up to 12,5 mm, which makes it suitable for manned stations and critical spacecraft.
During ground tests, the Atomic-6 panels successfully stopped objects, that moved at a speed over 7 km/s, without the formation of dangerous debris. For comparison, aluminum screens of similar thickness created additional fragments at the point of impact. By reducing mass and post-collision emissions, Space Armor improves mission safety and promotes more responsible use of orbit.
Source: https://www.spacedaily.com