With objects flying around in space at hyperspeeds, how would our spacecrafts avoid them?

Question

if we send a spacecraft to Mars or some other destinations in or outside our solar system, these crafts could be flying around at speeds of at least 100 miles a second or more, and there are other space debris...some of them very small.. out there hurtling around the cosmos at speeds even higher than that, how do we make sure a hyperspeed collision does not occur and the craft is obliterated?

Answer 1

Collisions cannot be avoided, but damage can be minimised. The idea is to compartmentalise the spacecraft, so that small holes in one section can be isolated and fixed before they affect other sections. Also redundancy of vital equipment is important, so that if something is destroyed, it can be replaced or repaired.

Answer 2

That is a very good question. Today's technology is not good enough to deal with any debris of any size larger than a pebble. Even a pebble could do some very serious damage to a spacecraft. The metals that we presently have would not be tough enough to withstand much of an impact. We would need very tough skins on our spacecraft and also equipment that could detect debris incoming and the ability to destroy it or avoid it. We just couldn't do it now.

Answer 3

I would guess some sort of radar to let the ship know to change course, or some sort of electromagnetic field around the craft that would make small objects bounce off the field and not hit the craft.

Answer 4

Dead easy you would fit the craft with dyson vacuam cleaners all over the outside of the craft on full suction .........end of problem .

Answer 5

That is one of the very reasons that a number of people believe that the Govt. is lying about sending people into outer space.

Answer 6

you can't prevent it, but space is big, VERY BIG, and the chances of it getting hit are very very slim.