Classroom Activity

Text Size

Impact Resistance Tester
The first page of the Impact Resistance Tester activity

The information in this document was accurate as of the original publication date.

 Audience: Educators
Grades: 5-12


One of the hazards of spacewalking is the presence of small high-speed particles. These particles, called micrometeoroids, are usually smaller than a grain of sand, have a mass that is only a fraction of a gram, and can travel at speeds up to 80 kilometers per second. An astronaut struck by a micrometeoroid could be severely injured. As a consequence, spacesuits have to be constructed from materials that are resistant to impacts. Students will test the effects of impact on various materials. They will also calculate the velocity and kinetic energy of the impactor. The activity includes a list of materials and a diagram to build the test stand.

Impact Resistance Tester Activity [751KB PDF file]

This document is part of the Suited for Spacewalking Educator Guide.


Please note that on page 53 of the "Suited for Spacewalking Educator Guide,"
the mathematical equation t equals g divided into the square root of 2 times d should be t equals the square root of the quotient of 2d divided by gAn updated
version of the guide will be posted as soon as it is available.
› Back To Top