Micrometeoroid/space debris detector (MOD) test and calibration

The space debris and micrometeoroid environment poses an increasing threat to operations in space due to the escalating quantity of debris in orbit. Particle impact detectors provide a low cost means to monitor and study this environment. EMI and OHB-System have developed an impact detection system to be launched in 2005 into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 680 km. The experiment consists of an impact detection system and a data transfer system. The detector utilizes three independent systems to detect impacts and provide coincidence verification of an impact event, while the data transfer system uses low-cost means to transfer data over an already existing communications network to end-users via the internet. This paper presents the mission, provides a description of the impact detector and data transfer systems, explains the detection techniques employed, and discusses initial functional and calibration testing setup, as well as outlines future plans.