US firm tests lightweight 'Space Armor' to shield satellites from high-speed debris

American researchers caution that an intense solar storm could initiate a chain reaction of collisions in low-Earth orbit, potentially disabling the entire satellite infrastructure within days. Traditional defenses like Whipple shields involve multiple layers that may still generate debris, whereas Atomic-6 proposes a single-layer composite called Space Armor that absorbs impacts without fragmenting. The company fitted this armor onto Portal Space Systems' Starburst-1 spacecraft, which lifted off from a Florida launch site and is now undergoing orbital testing.

Ground trials suggest the shield can halt debris moving at 25 800 km/h, and its material permits radio frequencies to pass, enabling antenna integration. Success could reduce reliance on costly debris-removal missions and safeguard future space operations, a point emphasized at a recent Paris space-debris conference.