Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31326: Tracking Space Debris: How the ISS Studies Micrometeoroids and Man-Made Particles

Space might seem empty, but it’s actually full of tiny, fast-moving particles. Some come from natural sources like micrometeoroids, while others are man-made, called technogenic particles. The Russian space agency ROSCOSMOS has been studying these space threats through the experiment "Recording Micrometeoroid and Technogenic Particles on the External Surface of the ISS Russian Segment Service Module."

Led by Principal Investigator V. Sokolov at S.P. Korolev RSC Energia, this long-running experiment involved placing special detectors on the ISS's outer hull. These detectors captured and recorded impacts from both natural and artificial particles over numerous expeditions.

Why does this matter? Even the smallest particles in space can travel at speeds exceeding 25,000 km/h. At such velocities, even a grain of dust can damage spacecraft. Monitoring these impacts helps engineers design better shielding and improve safety protocols for both robotic missions and crewed spacecraft.

The detectors provide data on impact frequency, direction, and force, allowing scientists to map out high-risk areas and understand how particle collisions affect spacecraft over time. This information is crucial not only for the ISS but also for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Moreover, tracking technogenic particles—debris from old satellites or launch stages—helps global space agencies coordinate debris mitigation strategies. With increasing congestion in Earth’s orbit, understanding the scale and behavior of space debris is more important than ever.

This experiment has significantly enhanced our knowledge of the space environment, reinforcing the need for sustainable space exploration and improved orbital safety.

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