[meteorite-list] Space station moves to avoid debris

[Gerald Flaherty]

Thanks Darren. Sounds easy but...
Never mind, practicle application works sooo theory is well supported.
Wicked keen.
Jerry Flaherty
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Darren Garrison" <cynapse at charter.net>
To: "Gerald Flaherty" <grf2 at verizon.net>
Cc: <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 3:44 PM
Subject: Re: Re: [meteorite-list] Space station moves to avoid debris


On Sat, 03 Feb 2007 14:38:42 -0500, you wrote:

>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?

Particle hits first layer-- explodes into a bajillion pieces (as would you 
if
you hit something while going at thousands of miles per hout).  Much of the
energy from first hit is converted from kinetic to various other things--  
heat,
for instance.  What kinetic energy continues moving forward is spread out 
over
many particles.  Those many particles may or may not still have enough 
energy to
punch through another layer.  If not, the process stops there.  If they do,
they'll lose and spred out energy again in the same way, and be even less 
likely
to pass through another layer.