Tiny Space Debris Detectors Are Developed

With the process of human beings'spaceflight activities, the space debris population continues growth and severely effect the space environment. The main hazards of the micro space debris and micrometeoroids is that when it corrodes the surface of spacecraft, devices will be damaged and maybe result in the spacecraft system failure. Therefore, knowledge of the micro space debris and micrometeoroids mechanism is important to protect the safety of spacecraft.Between the various engineering model of micro space debris and micrometeoroids there is very different for the relatively less data source. So it is necessary to detect the micro space debris and micrometeoroids for the establishment and perfection of engineering model.This paper first analyzes micro space debris and micrometeoroids hazards and the necessary of development of micro space debris and micrometeoroids detector. A great deal of research of space exploration status and in particular a detailed study of using of PVDF piezoelectric materials as sensor is carried out. By analyses of the signal characteristics when debris impact PVDF sensor and combining time-of-flight method the micro space debris and micrometeoroids mass and velocity can be achieved. On this basis the design and technology scheme programs was proposed. Then we present the detailed physics detector design from the sensor as well as each circuit element. Finally, describe the test and the calibration program and a few improvement program and design method of a more accurate two-dimensional position detector.This detector is the first time of developing a space-based micro-debris and micrometeoroids instrument in our country. As a new type of high-efficiency detectors, it is of Small power consumption, good performance, and can long working in space.