Hypervelocity impacts from space debris pose significant risks to spacecraft and satellites in outer space. To address this challenge, Prof. SU Zhongqing, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Chair Professor of Intelligent Structures and Systems at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), as well as a key member of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations, along with his research team, has developed an innovative sensing technology to efficiently evaluate the health of space systems under hypervelocity impact of space junks. In recognition of this translational research and development (R&D) work, he has been awarded the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) (Special Call for Aerospace Technology) by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC).
Led by Prof. SU, the project “A ‘Totally-Additive-Manufacturing’-driven New Sensing Technique for Rapid Health Evaluation of Space Systems Under Hypervelocity Impact of Orbital Junks” has received HK4.47 million funding support from ITF - Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITF-ITSP) for a period of three years. The project is collaborated with co-investigators from Beijing Institute of Spacecraft Environment Engineering of China Academy of Space Technology and Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen).
Over the past decade, human exploration of outer space has advanced at an unprecedented pace. Consequently, near-Earth space, home to numerous satellites and space stations, has become increasingly cluttered with man-made orbital debris and micrometeoroids, commonly known as space junks. Despite their small size, they travel at extremely high velocities, potentially causing the risk of hypervelocity impact (HVI) at speeds exceeding 4km/s.
Prof. Siu said, “Therefore, it is highly imperative to develop effective sensing approaches to detect HVI and evaluate system degradation after HVI attacks, thereby enhancing the resilience and survivability of damaged spacecraft. This ITF-ITSP project will introduce an innovative structural health monitoring (SHM) framework, consisting of a compact, all-in-one system and a new sensing network coating. They are all readily available for immediate applications to orbital spacecraft, such as satellites and space stations.”
Notably, the successful installation of this system and implementation of the technology on spacecraft will mitigate the risk of HVI from space debris to communication satellites and space stations. Additionally, it will retrofit existing safety design philosophy, enhance serviceability, and extend the lifespan of long-service space systems.
ITF, administered by the ITC, aims to increase the added value, productivity and competitiveness of economic activities. ITSP was introduced to encourage universities funded by the University Grants Committee to collaborate with leading research institutes worldwide to conduct more theme-based interdisciplinary and translational R&D work in focused technology areas.
