Inventors:
Rene F. Larriva - Fairfax Station VA
M. Nelson; Anne - Washington DC
James G. Czechanski - Arlington VA
Ray E. Poff - Vienna VA
Assignee:
Interferometrics Inc. - Vienna VA
International Classification:
B64C 140
Abstract:
A low areal density protective shield apparatus, and method for making same, for protecting spacecraft structures from impact with hypervelocity objects, including a bumper member comprising a bumper ceramic layer, a bumper shock attenuator layer, and a bumper confining layer. The bumper ceramic layer can be SiC or B. sub. 4 C; the bumper shock attenuator layer can be zirconia felt; and the bumper confining layer can be aluminum. A base armor member can be spaced from the bumper member and a ceramic fiber-based curtain can be positioned between the bumper and base armor members.