Incredible slo-mo footage captures the moment a bullet EXPLODES into a 'sideways mushroom cloud' in high speed test on spacecraft shields
In the experiments, the researchers used a 2.8 mm-diameter aluminium bullet travelling at 7 km/s (4.3 miles/s). Spacecraft shielding often relies on a technique known as the Whipple Shield. This uses multiple layers separated by 10-30 centimeters.
ARE TINY ROCKETS THE FUTURE OF SPACE EXPLORATION?
The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is the latest firm to join the movement of launching tiny rockets.
JAXA successfully launched its ultra-small SS-520 on Saturday afternoon, making it one of the first to make headway in launching a tiny rocket.
The SS-520 was also carrying a 13.6-inch satellite that's now orbiting the earth.
NASA has also embraced super small satellites.
The agency said in 2016 it wants to launch a 'swarm' of tiny satellites that can track weather and climate change patterns.
Private space company Rocket Lab has been working to launch its small rocket at some point this year.
The rocket, called Electron, would have three payloads on board: An imaging satellite and two tracking satellites.
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