Advanced Satellite Shielding Solution for the Kinetic ASAT Threat and Orbital Debris

Launchspace has created an advanced spacecraft shielding solution with the dual-use capability of active debris removal (ADR) under the only NASA Space Act Agreement to develop materials for a commercial company for this purpose. Shielding can protect USSF spacecraft from counter-space kinetic ASAT threats, while reducing the collateral damage from backward splatter from debris object impacts. The shielding is unique in that it prevents the creation of new lethal non-trackable (LNT) orbital debris. Embedded sensing allows for characterization of orbital debris in LEO, GEO and beyond, and are part of Launchspaceĺs overall space domain awareness (SDA) sensor architecture. The threat of an ASAT attack has been demonstrated numerous times in the 21st century, and can come in the form of a simple kinetic collision from a basic ballistic missile launching a low-tech cloud of pellets into the path of the target LEO satellite. Protection against such attacks by small pellets is gained from Launchspace satellite shielding. Additionally, the temperature resistant material may offer other protective measures. This shielding offers the USSF both protection and sustainment via capitalizing on the dual-use properties of a product intended to benefit civilian and commercial sectors.