Space Environment and Debris: A Review of Micro-Meteoroids and Orbital Debris Impact Protection

TL;DR

This review discusses the increasing threat of micro-meteoroids and orbital debris to spacecraft, highlighting recent advancements in shielding technologies like hybrid materials and additive manufacturing to enhance protection and promote orbital sustainability.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of recent innovations in impact protection, emphasizing hybrid materials, additive manufacturing, and international collaboration for spacecraft resilience.

Findings

Hybrid materials improve impact resistance.

Additive manufacturing enables customized shielding solutions.

International collaboration enhances orbital debris mitigation.

Abstract

The threat posed by MMOD to spacecraft has escalated with the growing density of orbital objects, driven by the proliferation of satellite constellations such as Starlink and OneWeb. This paper reviews the current challenges and advancements in MMOD impact protection, emphasizing innovations in shielding technologies. The synthesis of recent developments highlights the role of hybrid materials, additive manufacturing, and international collaboration in ensuring spacecraft resilience while promoting orbital sustainability.