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Protecting the Space Shuttle from Meteoroids and Orbital Debris (1997) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Pages 1-3

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 1...
... RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGY A National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) guideline states that the risk of critical failure (i.e., penetration of the orbiter that results in the loss of vehicle or loss of life)
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From page 2...
... Because the data are limited and the population of debris smaller than about 5 mm in diameter varies widely, ORDEM96's predictions of debris fluxes for individual shuttle missions may be highly inaccurate. To predict the short-term hazard to the orbiter from orbital debris more accurately, NASA should expand its data gathering and modeling efforts to better understand the sources (e.g., solid rocket motors and debris wakes)
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From page 3...
... RISK MITIGATION The space shuttle program has developed operational procedures, and is about to implement hardware modifications, to improve the survivability of the shuttle orbiter and crew in the face of the meteoroid and orbital debris hazard. In the future, however, when the orbiter is supporting the International Space Station, many of the operational techniques developed to improve the orbiter's survivability will not be employed because the shuttle's freedom to maneuver and control its attitude will be constrained to satisfy requirements for space station power, thermal conditions, and attitude control.
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Key Terms

  • debris hazard
  • space shuttle
  • shuttle orbiter
  • shuttle program
  • available model

  • survivability assessment
  • debris environment
  • space station
  • collision avoidance
  • shuttle missions

  • astronauts conducting
  • consider changing
  • radiator pipe
  • assess risks
  • data gathering

  • operational procedures
  • satisfy requirements
  • appropriate error
  • allowable risk
  • avoidance maneuver

  • experience critical
  • data currently
  • threat assessment
  • close conjunctions
  • developed operational

  • increases refurbishment
  • identify changes
  • costly repairs
  • debris fluxes
  • debris population


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