Document details
Abstract
The knowledge of small (>, 100 ?m) but abundant objects in space is low. To analyze the quantity of those small objects in Earth orbit is a challenging issue and a number of different methods has been proposed and investigated in the past. However, until today there is no
realised solution, which provides sufficient measurement data to be used for software validation. To improve our knowledge regarding the space environment, a new type of in-situ sensor was developed at DLR in Bremen, Germany. The Solar panel based Impact Detector “SOLID” is a large-area impact sensor that can be placed on a spacecraft in any orbit and can provide measurement data continuously. This paper provides an overview regarding the already performed as well as
planned development of the SOLID system. Furthermore, the main objectives corresponding the first and second on orbit verification of SOLID on TechnoSat mission (2017) and S2TEP (2019) respectively are outlined.