Abstract
The LDEF contained 57 individual experiment trays or tray portions specifically designed to characterize critical aspects of meteoroid and debris environment in low-Earth orbit (LEO). However, it was realized from the beginning that the most efficient use of the satellite would be to characterize impact features from the entire surface of LDEF. With this in mind, particular interest has focused on common materials facing in all 26 LDEF facing directions; among the most important of these materials has been the LDEF frame and tray clamps. Therefore, in an effort to better understand the nature and flux of particulates in LEO, and their effects on spacecraft hardware, we are locating all impact features on LDEF frame member intercostals and tray clamps, down to 40 μm in diameter, analyzing the bulk major-element composition of impactor residues when present. We also describe current efforts to characterize impactor residues recovered from the impact craters, and we have found that a low, but significant, fraction of these residues have survived in a largely unmelted state. These residues can be characterized sufficiently to permit resolution of the impactor origin. We have concentrated on the residue from chondritic interplanetary dust particles (micrometeoroids), as these represent the harshest test of our analytical capabilities. We describe the Meteoroid and Debris Database, into which we have placed all pertinent LDEF data, as well as similar results from inspection of the Solar Maximum and Palapa Satellites. Finally, we describe the contents of the Final Report of the LDEF Meteoroid and Debris Special Investigation Group, which is currently being prepared.
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