USE OF WATER ICE FOR PROTECTION OF SPACECRAFT OBJECTS AGAINST MECHANICAL DAMAGE IN ORBIT

摘要

FIELD: rocketry and space engineering; protection of spacecraft against damage by micro-meteorites and fragments of space debris. ^ SUBSTANCE: protection of spacecraft in space engineering is performed by coats and shields possessing high strength characteristics. Invention proposes use of water ice (or water-and-ice mixture) for such purpose. ^ EFFECT: extended field of application; enhanced efficiency of spacecraft against finely-dispersed mechanical particles (dust, small fragments of spacecraft).