Fiber optic MOD smart fabric detector arrays for spacecraft applications

A Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris (MOD) impact detection system would allow remote identification of outer hull impact locations and the damage levels expected from MOD impact events while integrating into existing spacecraft MOD protection methods. Optical fibers are woven into Kevlar to create a smart fabric capable of detecting the damage area created by the debris plume resulting from an impact on the bumper shield by a MOD particle. The array underwent 10 hypervelocity impact tests in partnership with NASA Johnson space center, performed using aluminum spheres with varying diameters and at 0°, 30°, 45° and 60° impact angles. A finite element code was developed to determine the strength effects of optical fiber substitution into the Kevlar smart fabric. The smart fabric was able to locate outer bumper impact locations to within 2.52 cm, predict impacting particle size within 0.351 mm and outer bumper damage diameter within 0.610 mm.