Download or read book Protecting the Space Shuttle from Meteoroids and Orbital Debris written by National Research Council and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 1998-01-09 with total page 70 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The space shuttle orbiter has already been struck many times by small meteoroids and orbital debris, but it has not been damaged severely. There is a real risk, however, that a meteoroid or debris impact could one day force the crew to abort a mission or might result in loss of life or loss of the shuttle itself. Protecting the Space Shuttle from Meteoroids and Orbital Debris assesses the magnitude of the problem and suggests changes that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration can make to reduce the risk to the shuttle and its crew. December