A chip in a car window is quite bothersome , but if the crack is in one of the window of the International Space Station ( ISS ) it work from annoying to terrifying .
The above picture was taken by European Space Agency ( ESA ) astronaut Tim Peake , and it shows a 7 - millimeter scrap on one of the multi - superimposed windows of the Cupola module . It was created by a small sherd of space debris no more than a few microns across , peradventure a blusher flake or a metal sherd .
Strikes such as this pose no menace to the astronauts , though . The European - builtCupolawindows , which give fantastic perspective of Earth , are multi - layered like the residuum of the station , screen the crew from hurt .
“ I am often asked if the International Space Station is arrive at by space debris . Yes – this is the poker chip in one of our Cupola window , glad it is quadruple sugarcoat ! ” said Peake in astatement .
The Cupola module give astronauts a arresting view of Earth . NASA
Although not threatening , this type of incident highlights the peril ofspace debristo both crew and technologies in space . This sherd was just one of over 170 million dust fragments of a size less than 1 centimeter ( 0.4 inch ) , which could well disenable a system on a artificial satellite . There are at least 670,000 aim in space between 1 and 10 centimetre ( 0.4 to 4 inches ) , capable of penetrating the ISS ’s shielding system . There are around 29,000 physical object of 10 centimeter or magnanimous that could easy destroy a ballistic capsule .
It might seem surprising the danger these modest object pose , but one needs to remember that they have a fastness of about 8 kilometers per 2d ( about 18,000 miles per hour ) , almost four times fast than the firm bullet .
“ ESA is at the vanguard of developing and implementing debris - moderation guideline , because the best way to avoid problems from orbital debris is not to induce them in the first position , ” express Holger Krag , Head of ESA ’s Space Debris Office , in the statement .
“ These guidepost are applied to all new missions flown by ESA , and admit dumping fuel tanks and discharging batteries at the end of a deputation , to avoid explosions , and ensuring that satellites reenter the atmosphere and safely burn up within 25 years of the close of their working lives . ”
