[amsat-bb] Re: Clint

[Rick Tejera]

Mike,

Space stations get peppered with meteoroids hundreds of time a day. The
design issues have long been worked out (Think Salyut in the early '70's).
In the case of the ISS, the habitable area is small compared to the whole of
the structure and a lot of that structure shields the habitable areas. In
addition the habitable areas are covered with insulation to deal with
thermal control. This is essentially layered Mylar with insulating material
between the layers. In addition to thermal control, these layers also absorb
the meteoroid impacts and dissipate their energy. 

During expected peaks in activity such as last night the station can be
oriented to present the least amount of habitable area to the on coming
stream. 

Needless to say there is more to it, but that's the basic idea.

Clear Skies

Rick Tejera
Editor SACnews,
Public Outreach Coordinator
Saguaro Astronomy Club
Phoenix, Arizona
www.saguaroastro.org
saguaroastro at cox.net 
K7TEJ, AMSAT 38452


-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org] On
Behalf Of Michael
Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 2010 13:51
To: AMSAT-BB at amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Clint

I wondered that on previous showers and NASA is quite relaxed about the
situation. That being said I wonder what the ISS is made from to with stand
a storm?
Mike   N8GBU
_______________________________________________
Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb