SHM in Space: On-Orbit Impact Monitoring for Satellite Structures

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of satellites, scientific equipment, and debris orbiting the Earth necessitates advanced solutions to enhance the safety and efficiency of future space missions. As low Earth orbit becomes increasingly congested, the risk of unforeseen impacts grows, threatening the stability of orbital assets and jeopardizing mission success. Hence, systems to monitor the condition and integrity of satellites and other space vehicles are critical. An integrated Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) system can provide both real-time impact detection and ongoing damage assessment for orbiting vehicles, making it a key element of On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (OSAM). In this work, the authors explore the application of Acellent’s SHM system for impact detection and quantification. The system incorporates both “passive” and “active” operational modes. The first set of experiments focused on low-velocity impacts mimicking docking operations. A drop- tower test using aluminum- and composite-tipped projectiles simulated interactions between dissimilar vehicles. In the second set of experiments, each structure was impacted with projectiles at ballistic velocities of 1000–2000 km/s to simulate collisions with meteorites and other space debris.