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Over the past few years, there have been a number of documented and suspected cases of meteoroids and orbital debris impacts involving orbiting spacecraft. Here are just a few examples.


Almost everytime the Shuttle goes up, it returns with small nicks in its windows and tiles that were caused by impacts with small particles on orbit.


Russian Space Station Mir has had numerous impacts during its many years in orbit. There are some photos of what must be orbital debris impact.


LDEF was an inexpensive satellite launched in 1982. The satellite has become a bottomless data source for hypervelocity impact research.


The Russian Space Station Mir has
sustained numerous impacts
during its long tenure in space. The bulk of this damage was actually created by a low velocity collision with a Progress resupply vessel.
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Site Updated: 22-Feb-06
Curator:  Jim Hyde
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Responsible NASA Official:  Eric Christiansen

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