The first results of meteoroid and debris impact analyses on space flyer unit

The Space Flyer Unit (SFU) was retrieved from space after its 10-month mission in January 1996. Here we report the first findings from the post flight analysis of its Kapton MLI and Teflon radiators in terms of impact flux, crater morphology and implications of impactors' origins. The impact flux on the Sun face is also compared with the LDEF, EuReCa and HST data. On the Kapton MLI, some directional information can be deduced and its capture cell Structure promises a high survivability of, residues for chemical analysis. The peripheral flux variation is not inconsistent with the EuReCa data favouring for the Earth's apex. The anti-sun face flux exceeded the Sun face by a factor of 1.7. The size distribution index of the impact features on the Sun face Teflon agreed with the certain size ranges of the previous spacecraft. Plans of forthcoming studies such as detailed CCD/laser scanning, calibration impact experiments and chemical analysis are also addressed. (C) 1997 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.