Has any man-made satellite or space vehicle ever been hit by a natural meteoroid?












2












$begingroup$


For precision I'm excluding artificial meteoroids and satellite debris (which is discussed in another question) of all kinds. I'm also considering collisions large enough to produce a noticeable impact or scar (not truly microscopic dust that can only be detected from wear of the surfaces). Say something carrying at least 1J of kinetic energy.










share|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    If a satellite does not respond to radio signals anymore, how should we know what hapened?
    $endgroup$
    – Uwe
    4 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Possible duplicate of Why haven't more spacecraft/satellites been hit by debris? TL;DR: there's been plenty of macroscopic pitting from impacts.
    $endgroup$
    – Russell Borogove
    4 hours ago








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Those answers mostly talk about debris, this question specifically excludes that.
    $endgroup$
    – Organic Marble
    4 hours ago
















2












$begingroup$


For precision I'm excluding artificial meteoroids and satellite debris (which is discussed in another question) of all kinds. I'm also considering collisions large enough to produce a noticeable impact or scar (not truly microscopic dust that can only be detected from wear of the surfaces). Say something carrying at least 1J of kinetic energy.










share|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    If a satellite does not respond to radio signals anymore, how should we know what hapened?
    $endgroup$
    – Uwe
    4 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Possible duplicate of Why haven't more spacecraft/satellites been hit by debris? TL;DR: there's been plenty of macroscopic pitting from impacts.
    $endgroup$
    – Russell Borogove
    4 hours ago








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Those answers mostly talk about debris, this question specifically excludes that.
    $endgroup$
    – Organic Marble
    4 hours ago














2












2








2





$begingroup$


For precision I'm excluding artificial meteoroids and satellite debris (which is discussed in another question) of all kinds. I'm also considering collisions large enough to produce a noticeable impact or scar (not truly microscopic dust that can only be detected from wear of the surfaces). Say something carrying at least 1J of kinetic energy.










share|improve this question











$endgroup$




For precision I'm excluding artificial meteoroids and satellite debris (which is discussed in another question) of all kinds. I'm also considering collisions large enough to produce a noticeable impact or scar (not truly microscopic dust that can only be detected from wear of the surfaces). Say something carrying at least 1J of kinetic energy.







meteoroid






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 3 hours ago







Steve Linton

















asked 4 hours ago









Steve LintonSteve Linton

6,96411741




6,96411741












  • $begingroup$
    If a satellite does not respond to radio signals anymore, how should we know what hapened?
    $endgroup$
    – Uwe
    4 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Possible duplicate of Why haven't more spacecraft/satellites been hit by debris? TL;DR: there's been plenty of macroscopic pitting from impacts.
    $endgroup$
    – Russell Borogove
    4 hours ago








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Those answers mostly talk about debris, this question specifically excludes that.
    $endgroup$
    – Organic Marble
    4 hours ago


















  • $begingroup$
    If a satellite does not respond to radio signals anymore, how should we know what hapened?
    $endgroup$
    – Uwe
    4 hours ago






  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Possible duplicate of Why haven't more spacecraft/satellites been hit by debris? TL;DR: there's been plenty of macroscopic pitting from impacts.
    $endgroup$
    – Russell Borogove
    4 hours ago








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    Those answers mostly talk about debris, this question specifically excludes that.
    $endgroup$
    – Organic Marble
    4 hours ago
















$begingroup$
If a satellite does not respond to radio signals anymore, how should we know what hapened?
$endgroup$
– Uwe
4 hours ago




$begingroup$
If a satellite does not respond to radio signals anymore, how should we know what hapened?
$endgroup$
– Uwe
4 hours ago




2




2




$begingroup$
Possible duplicate of Why haven't more spacecraft/satellites been hit by debris? TL;DR: there's been plenty of macroscopic pitting from impacts.
$endgroup$
– Russell Borogove
4 hours ago






$begingroup$
Possible duplicate of Why haven't more spacecraft/satellites been hit by debris? TL;DR: there's been plenty of macroscopic pitting from impacts.
$endgroup$
– Russell Borogove
4 hours ago






1




1




$begingroup$
Those answers mostly talk about debris, this question specifically excludes that.
$endgroup$
– Organic Marble
4 hours ago




$begingroup$
Those answers mostly talk about debris, this question specifically excludes that.
$endgroup$
– Organic Marble
4 hours ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















3












$begingroup$

Hypervelocity impacts on the space shuttle Orbiters were analyzed over the years to determine their origin.




After the post-flight inspection is completed, JSC
personnel analyze samples extracted from the impact
sites using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped
with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometers (EDXA). Such techniques
allow engineers to determine whether the impactor was a naturally
occurring meteoroid or man-made orbital debris.




The paper ANALYSIS OF THE NASA SHUTTLE HYPERVELOCITY IMPACT DATABASE breaks down the source of the impacts for various regions of the Orbiter.



The majority of the hits are from debris, but some are attributed to meteoroids. Here's an example, a chart showing the results from the Reinforced Carbon-Carbon areas of the Orbiters (mostly the wing leading edges and nosecap).



enter image description here






share|improve this answer











$endgroup$





















    2












    $begingroup$

    A History of Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris Impacts On The Space Shuttle lists the "top 20" strikes on space shuttle windows and radiators from 1992 to 2000; most of them are from debris but 4 appear to be from meteoroids. The biggest meteoroid hit appears to be a 5mm hole in a radiator from an 0.7mm meteoroid.






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$













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      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes








      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      3












      $begingroup$

      Hypervelocity impacts on the space shuttle Orbiters were analyzed over the years to determine their origin.




      After the post-flight inspection is completed, JSC
      personnel analyze samples extracted from the impact
      sites using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped
      with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometers (EDXA). Such techniques
      allow engineers to determine whether the impactor was a naturally
      occurring meteoroid or man-made orbital debris.




      The paper ANALYSIS OF THE NASA SHUTTLE HYPERVELOCITY IMPACT DATABASE breaks down the source of the impacts for various regions of the Orbiter.



      The majority of the hits are from debris, but some are attributed to meteoroids. Here's an example, a chart showing the results from the Reinforced Carbon-Carbon areas of the Orbiters (mostly the wing leading edges and nosecap).



      enter image description here






      share|improve this answer











      $endgroup$


















        3












        $begingroup$

        Hypervelocity impacts on the space shuttle Orbiters were analyzed over the years to determine their origin.




        After the post-flight inspection is completed, JSC
        personnel analyze samples extracted from the impact
        sites using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped
        with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometers (EDXA). Such techniques
        allow engineers to determine whether the impactor was a naturally
        occurring meteoroid or man-made orbital debris.




        The paper ANALYSIS OF THE NASA SHUTTLE HYPERVELOCITY IMPACT DATABASE breaks down the source of the impacts for various regions of the Orbiter.



        The majority of the hits are from debris, but some are attributed to meteoroids. Here's an example, a chart showing the results from the Reinforced Carbon-Carbon areas of the Orbiters (mostly the wing leading edges and nosecap).



        enter image description here






        share|improve this answer











        $endgroup$
















          3












          3








          3





          $begingroup$

          Hypervelocity impacts on the space shuttle Orbiters were analyzed over the years to determine their origin.




          After the post-flight inspection is completed, JSC
          personnel analyze samples extracted from the impact
          sites using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped
          with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometers (EDXA). Such techniques
          allow engineers to determine whether the impactor was a naturally
          occurring meteoroid or man-made orbital debris.




          The paper ANALYSIS OF THE NASA SHUTTLE HYPERVELOCITY IMPACT DATABASE breaks down the source of the impacts for various regions of the Orbiter.



          The majority of the hits are from debris, but some are attributed to meteoroids. Here's an example, a chart showing the results from the Reinforced Carbon-Carbon areas of the Orbiters (mostly the wing leading edges and nosecap).



          enter image description here






          share|improve this answer











          $endgroup$



          Hypervelocity impacts on the space shuttle Orbiters were analyzed over the years to determine their origin.




          After the post-flight inspection is completed, JSC
          personnel analyze samples extracted from the impact
          sites using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped
          with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometers (EDXA). Such techniques
          allow engineers to determine whether the impactor was a naturally
          occurring meteoroid or man-made orbital debris.




          The paper ANALYSIS OF THE NASA SHUTTLE HYPERVELOCITY IMPACT DATABASE breaks down the source of the impacts for various regions of the Orbiter.



          The majority of the hits are from debris, but some are attributed to meteoroids. Here's an example, a chart showing the results from the Reinforced Carbon-Carbon areas of the Orbiters (mostly the wing leading edges and nosecap).



          enter image description here







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited 4 hours ago

























          answered 4 hours ago









          Organic MarbleOrganic Marble

          54.3k3145231




          54.3k3145231























              2












              $begingroup$

              A History of Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris Impacts On The Space Shuttle lists the "top 20" strikes on space shuttle windows and radiators from 1992 to 2000; most of them are from debris but 4 appear to be from meteoroids. The biggest meteoroid hit appears to be a 5mm hole in a radiator from an 0.7mm meteoroid.






              share|improve this answer









              $endgroup$


















                2












                $begingroup$

                A History of Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris Impacts On The Space Shuttle lists the "top 20" strikes on space shuttle windows and radiators from 1992 to 2000; most of them are from debris but 4 appear to be from meteoroids. The biggest meteoroid hit appears to be a 5mm hole in a radiator from an 0.7mm meteoroid.






                share|improve this answer









                $endgroup$
















                  2












                  2








                  2





                  $begingroup$

                  A History of Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris Impacts On The Space Shuttle lists the "top 20" strikes on space shuttle windows and radiators from 1992 to 2000; most of them are from debris but 4 appear to be from meteoroids. The biggest meteoroid hit appears to be a 5mm hole in a radiator from an 0.7mm meteoroid.






                  share|improve this answer









                  $endgroup$



                  A History of Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris Impacts On The Space Shuttle lists the "top 20" strikes on space shuttle windows and radiators from 1992 to 2000; most of them are from debris but 4 appear to be from meteoroids. The biggest meteoroid hit appears to be a 5mm hole in a radiator from an 0.7mm meteoroid.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered 4 hours ago









                  Russell BorogoveRussell Borogove

                  84.2k3282365




                  84.2k3282365






























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