Satellites - Bus: Outer Layer

The satellite's payload must be protected from things travelling through space - small meteorites (micrometeorites), space junk, charged particles
The material used to cover the outside of the satellite must be lightweight but strong and resistant to puncture by particles travelling very fast
Many satellites protect their payloads in small containers that encase just the instruments.
These containers are always very sturdy
They can be made out of lightweight steel, mined in Canada, which is also often used as a bicycle frame, or in cars
Steel refers to many alloys of iron and 0.1-1.5% carbon (often with other metals like chromium (for stainless steel), manganese, nickel, etc.)
Steel is very heavy
Another possible material is high core matrix aluminum which must be imported
Aluminum is very durable and often used in aircraft bodies, trains, window frames, housing siding, and pots and pans

Produced by Galactics.
Comments: galactics@spacesim.org.
Last updated on: 8 August 1997.