2006-10-28 13:00:28 · 3 answers · asked by abcdefghi 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Damage from what?
They can handle direct sunlight in orbit, which is around 1300 W/m^2
2006-10-28 13:04:10 · answer #1 · answered by arbiter007 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The panels can withstand huge amounts of heat energy, mainly because that's what they're built to absorb and convert into electricity.
But kinetic energy, that's a different matter entirely.
A micrometeor can tear through a panel like tissue paper. Such debris exists all throughout the solar system.
Only a few weeks ago, one of the panels aboard the ISS was damaged after an impact with such an object.
So, the threshold of a panel, is low against physical objects.
2006-10-28 18:10:05 · answer #2 · answered by arbiteroffunk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What he said. ^
2006-11-02 15:42:00 · answer #3 · answered by 12ated12 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋