# Force exerted by space debris on satellites

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 F=ma calculation?

Thanks for the help!

• This question isn't particularly related to astronomy. This kind of question may be a better fit for the Space Exploration Stack Exchange. – antispinwards Nov 11 at 19:57
• Sorry I am a new user, didn't know Space Exploration stack exchange existed. Thank you. – Drishika Nadella Nov 12 at 12:05

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.