[meteorite-list] Space station moves to avoid debris

[Gerald Flaherty]

I'm "shocked" that such a "meager" device can successfully protect against 
high velocity impacts from debris? Why does it vaporize and not continue 
through?
The gel in the Stardust collector showed particles penetrating several 
millimeters into the material.
I see that the gel and the foil are different materials, the former meant to 
collect but a centimeter sized particle traveling at those speeds??
Help.
Jerry Flaherty
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Darren Garrison" <cynapse at charter.net>
To: "Rob McCafferty" <rob_mccafferty at yahoo.com>
Cc: <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 12:36 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Space station moves to avoid debris


> On Sat, 3 Feb 2007 07:22:36 -0800 (PST), you wrote:
>
>>
>>>
>>> Does anyone know more about the 'anti-meteorite
>>> system' that protects the ISS from being
>>> struck?  'Shields Up Scotty!'
>>>
>>I believe it's as simple as a couple of layers of
>>baking foil mounted over the main body of the station.
>>The foil and impactor are vaporised by the impact and
>>the vapour cannot penetrate do damage to the
>>habitation modules. I believe the whole skin of the
>
> The term is "Whipple shield" or "Whipple barrier"
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whipple_shield
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