Micrometeorite impact craters on Skylab EXPERIMENT S-149

Abstract

During the Skylab experiment S 149 three different sets of areas were exposed. 71.5 cm² were facing the sun for 46 days, and 36 cm² for 33 days, whereas 77.5 cm² were exposed in anti-solar direction for 34 days. A fourth set is currently being exposed with the hope of future recovery. The exposed surfaces consisted of stainless steel, aluminium, platinum, glass, and pyroxene. The recovered targets have been investigated with a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope. We found two groups of possible impact structures:

• 1.) Five craters between 1 and 30 μm. These craters show clear signs of hypervelocity impact. Measurements yielded diameter to depth ratios between 2 and 3. Chemical investigations in the craters yielded an enhancement in aluminium in one case.

• 2.) 44 crater-like structures between 1 and 4 μm in diameter. These features have been found on 4 cm² of pyroxene exposed in solar direction. They show diameter to depth ratios between 5 and 8. Chemical measurements of the interior of these structures indicate the elements of the pyroxene composition.

The five impacts of the it t group correspond to a c mulative flux of the order of 10⁻⁴ (m⁻² s⁻¹) for masses of about 10⁻¹² g. The second group may indicate a fragmentation process at altitudes around 450 km. Considering these 44 crater-like structures having been produced by fragments of one projectile, the impact rate could be comparable to that calculated for the first group. If individual projectiles had produced these structures, the corresponding flux could be 2 orders of magnitude higher.