Tracking and Mitigating Meteoroid Threats to Spacecraft

Whether residing in low-earth orbit or traveling through interplanetary space, spacecraft must shield against environmental threats that could result in minor to catastrophic failure. One such threat is an impact by a meteoroid, which is a natural object ranging from 62 microns to meters in diameter that could cause either mechanical or electrical damage. In this presentation, Dr. Close will discuss current research into meteoroid and meteoroid plasma physics and how these tiny particles may offer insight into the formation of life on Earth.