# Force exerted by space debris on satellites [closed]

Hypothetically, if space debris were to collide with the currently orbiting satellites, how much force would they exert, and how much damage would they make?

Will the satellites be able to withstand that much force, especially if they don't have Whipple shields?

Since space debris travel at tremendous velocities, I am guessing the force is pretty large too. How do you calculate the force? Is it a simple $$\rm{F=m \cdot a}$$ calculation?

• This question isn't particularly related to astronomy. This kind of question may be a better fit for the Space Exploration Stack Exchange. – user24157 Nov 11 '19 at 19:57
• Sorry I am a new user, didn't know Space Exploration stack exchange existed. Thank you. – user30617 Nov 12 '19 at 12:05
• I’m voting to close this question because the effects of the space environment on spacecraft is an engineering issue and not about Astronomy. This is however nicely on-topic in Space Exploration SE, so recommending migration when closed. – uhoh Feb 24 at 5:12

Relative velocities are typically a few km/s, so, 1 mg piece of debris (a paint flake or something like that) will deliver about $$10^{-3} kg m/s$$ of impulse, and about $$10--100J$$ of energy. The impulse will change the orbit of the satellite (typical mass perhaps 1 ton) by very little. Perturbations from tides and other effects will be bigger. The energy is more of a concern -- depending on what it hits something may get hot, or have a hole made in it.