COSMIC DUST

How often is the Shuttle checked over for Cosmic dust/ray
penetration,and does it pose a threat however small to the crew or to
the vehicles intregrity ?

More to the point, when does particle become dust and dust become too large
to be called dust.

As astronauts were outside during the Geminid shower, I don't think the
perceived danger is great, but then, we have been proved wrong before with
foam not being a hazard, so who knows. I think the suits and presumably the
station and Shuttle have some kind of micrometeorite protection.

Interesting then that they feel the need this next year to add additional
micrometeorite protection to selected parts of the Russian segment.

Brian

--
Brian Gaff -
Note:- In order to reduce spam, any email without 'Brian Gaff'
in the display name may be lost.
"PETE THE GEEK" wrote in message
ups.com...
How often is the Shuttle checked over for Cosmic dust/ray
penetration,and does it pose a threat however small to the crew or to
the vehicles intregrity ?

Brian Gaff wrote:
More to the point, when does particle become dust and dust become too large
to be called dust.

As astronauts were outside during the Geminid shower, I don't think the
perceived danger is great, but then, we have been proved wrong before with
foam not being a hazard, so who knows. I think the suits and presumably the
station and Shuttle have some kind of micrometeorite protection.

Interesting then that they feel the need this next year to add additional
micrometeorite protection to selected parts of the Russian segment.

Brian

--
Brian Gaff -
Note:- In order to reduce spam, any email without 'Brian Gaff'
in the display name may be lost.
"PETE THE GEEK" wrote in message
ups.com...
How often is the Shuttle checked over for Cosmic dust/ray
penetration,and does it pose a threat however small to the crew or to
the vehicles intregrity ?
Many thanks for your response Brian.I seem to recall watching a documentary on Cosmic Dust and they showed the cross section of an astronauts space helmet which had been penetrated.It was quite an alarming sight but what is more remarkable is that the dust had also passed through the astronauts skull and brain.I know we are talking microns,but surely that can`t be healthy for anyone.

"Brian Gaff" wrote in
.uk:

Interesting then that they feel the need this next year to add
additional micrometeorite protection to selected parts of the Russian
segment.

That perception has been there for a long time; it's nothing new.

--
JRF

Reply-to address spam-proofed - to reply by E-mail,
check "Organization" (I am not assimilated) and
think one step ahead of IBM.