This New Space Armor Could Save Astronauts From Deadly Space Debris

Well over a million pieces of debris are hurtling through Earth's orbit right now, creating what amounts to a cosmic gravel pit where even tiny shards can spell disaster for spacecraft and astronauts.

That's why composite materials manufacturer Atomic-6 has developed "Space Armor," a lightweight protective plating that could revolutionize how we shield satellites and space vehicles from these high-speed projectiles.

Unlike traditional aluminum or Whipple Shielding used on the International Space Station, Space Armor doesn't splinter when hit, avoiding the creation of even more dangerous debris. A square meter of the material weighs about 30 pounds but can stop projectiles up to 3 millimeters traveling at 7.2 kilometers per second. Comparable aluminum protection would weigh twice as much.

"We took the shot at making a tile, and were blown away by the test results," said Atomic-6 CEO Trevor Smith.

Backed by $5 million in U.S. Air Force and Space Force funding, the company plans orbital testing next year. The customizable hex tiles come in radio-permitting and radio-blocking versions, making them particularly valuable for protecting communication satellites without interfering with their signals.