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Protecting the Space Shuttle from Meteoroids and Orbital Debris (1997)

Chapter: Appendix A: Statement of Task

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Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Statement of Task." National Research Council. 1997. Protecting the Space Shuttle from Meteoroids and Orbital Debris. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5958.
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APPENDICES

Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Statement of Task." National Research Council. 1997. Protecting the Space Shuttle from Meteoroids and Orbital Debris. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5958.
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Statement of Task." National Research Council. 1997. Protecting the Space Shuttle from Meteoroids and Orbital Debris. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5958.
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APPENDIX A
Statement of Task

Drawing upon available data and analyses, including information presented by NASA and other agencies, the committee will assess the space shuttle program’s strategy for assessing and mitigating the threat posed by the meteoroid or orbital debris environment and recommend alternative strategies where appropriate. Specifically, the committee will review and assess:

  • the meteoroid/debris environment model used by the space shuttle program

  • current techniques for pre-flight prediction of meteoroid and debris damage to the shuttle (taking into account the actual damage seen on past shuttle missions)

  • current techniques for characterizing the potential for loss of the crew or the shuttle due to meteoroid or debris impacts

  • the ability of the current Space Shuttle shielding and operational approaches to protect the space shuttle from meteoroids and debris impacts

  • proposed design modifications to reduce the hazard to the shuttle from meteoroids and debris

  • operational procedures and hardware to reduce the hazard to the shuttle and its crew in the case of damaging meteoroid or debris impacts

  • the space shuttle program’s approach to collision avoidance

  • the need for additional data on the meteoroid/debris environment in the shuttle orbit, and appropriate measures to gather that data

Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Statement of Task." National Research Council. 1997. Protecting the Space Shuttle from Meteoroids and Orbital Debris. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5958.
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Page 53
Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Statement of Task." National Research Council. 1997. Protecting the Space Shuttle from Meteoroids and Orbital Debris. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5958.
×
Page 54
Suggested Citation:"Appendix A: Statement of Task." National Research Council. 1997. Protecting the Space Shuttle from Meteoroids and Orbital Debris. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/5958.
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Page 55
Next: Appendix B: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members »
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The space shuttle orbiter has already been struck many times by small meteoroids and orbital debris, but it has not been damaged severely. There is a real risk, however, that a meteoroid or debris impact could one day force the crew to abort a mission or might result in loss of life or loss of the shuttle itself. Protecting the Space Shuttle from Meteoroids and Orbital Debris assesses the magnitude of the problem and suggests changes that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration can make to reduce the risk to the shuttle and its crew. December

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