DOI: 10.31399/asm.amp.2016-05.p028 ISSN:
Designing Space Materials to Withstand Cosmic Dust
Graham Rideal- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechanics of Materials
- General Materials Science
Abstract
Materials used to construct spacecraft and protective gear—including the International Space Station and space suits for astronauts—must be lightweight yet strong enough to guard against cosmic dust that travels at hypervelocity. The article describes the use of glass microspheres to model cosmic dust as part of a program to enhance space apparel.