Impact Images
Space Shuttle
Visual inspections of the Space Shuttle orbiter vehicles after
each mission revealed numerous micrometeoroid and orbital debris
hits. Each impact was recorded and studied and from this research
better shielding technology was developed.
International Space Station
The ISS has been hit by micrometeoroid and orbital debris particles
on a regular basis since its completion in 1998. Photographs of the
outside surfaces of the space station reveal thousands of impacts.
Fortunately most are small — but some are not.