Advantage of oblique collision for debris protector

Space solar power system (SSPS) is expected as one of future sustainable energy sources. Collision of debris with SSPS in space is a matter of concern. The debris fl ies at a speed of more than 7000 m/s and the kinetic energy of the debris is enormous. Then the SSPS will be easily destroyed even if a small debris collides with it. In a former paper, we discussed possibility to construct a thin and light weight CFRP protector by oblique collision. In the former experiment, the CFRP panel was 3 mm in thickness and was cross-laminated unidirectionally aligned carbon fi ber sheets. The collision angle was less than 30 degree. In this experiment, a CFRP panel with laminated plain-weave carbon fi ber sheets was used. The thickness was also 3 mm. As the result, the projectile did not penetrate the CFRP panel at a collision angle of less than 60 degree. Moreover, the projectile did not rebound but slid along the panel surface at the smaller collision angle than 60 degree. From these results, a prospect to construct a thin and lightweight protective panel was obtained. A novel shape of a protector based on oblique collision is proposed.