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| Credit: European Space Agency, ESA |
This image shows the results of a lab test impact between a small sphere of aluminum travelling at approximately 6.8 km/second and a block of aluminum 18 cm thick. This test simulates what can happen when a small space debris object hits a spacecraft.
- Al sphere diameter: 1.2cm
- Al sphere mass: about 1.7 g
- Impact crater diameter: 9.0 cm
- Impact crater depth: 5.3 cm
In such an impact, the pressure and temperature can exceed those found at the centre of the Earth, e.g. greater than 365 GPa and more than 6000 K.
Source: Collision & re-entry risk control, ESA Space Debris, February 19, 2009
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