Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31325: What Are Meteors Made Of? Uncovering Cosmic Clues from the ISS

When meteors streak through the sky, they light up in a fiery display—but have you ever wondered what they’re made of? The Meteor Composition Determination experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS) was designed to answer that very question by studying these cosmic visitors in real time.

Under the guidance of Principal Investigator Michael Fortenberry from the Southwest Research Institute, and with support from Japan’s Chiba Institute of Technology, this project involved high-definition optical sensors installed on the ISS. These sensors captured data from meteors as they entered Earth’s atmosphere, focusing on their composition and behavior.

Unlike observations from the ground, the ISS provides a unique vantage point. From orbit, the sensors avoid atmospheric distortion and can track meteors across a broader swath of the sky. This clarity allows scientists to analyze the light spectra emitted by meteors, which reveals what elements they contain—such as iron, nickel, or magnesium.

This data helps scientists trace the origins of meteors—whether they come from comets, asteroids, or even interstellar space. Understanding their composition also sheds light on the early solar system, offering clues about the materials that formed Earth and other planets.

Over several ISS expeditions, researchers gathered valuable information that has helped refine models of meteor entry dynamics. These insights are not only vital for planetary science but also have practical applications, such as improving our understanding of potential meteor threats to satellites or spacecraft.

In short, this experiment turns the ISS into a cosmic observatory, helping us decode the secrets of space rocks that visit our skies—and deepening our understanding of the solar system’s history.

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