Potential micrometeoroid and orbital debris protection system using a gradient magnetic field and magnetic flux compression

A system for using a magnetic field in conjunction with conventional shielding configurations to protect against micrometeoroid and orbital debris is presented. Analytical, numerical, and experimental studies of a conductor moving through a gradient magnetic field have been performed. The results show that in the high magnetic Reynolds number regime a conducting object will experience large forces that tend to deform it while moving through the gradient field. Additionally a configuration using magnetic flux compression is introduced to act as a magnetic shock absorber. Separately or together, this technology may augment or replace current protection designs for space systems. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3474607]