Question

You are a NASA engineer faced with the task of ensuring that the material on the hull of a spacecraft can withstand puncturing by space debris. The initial cabin air pressure in the craft of 1 atm can drop to 0.7 atm before the safety of the crew is jeopardized. The volume of the cabin is 150 m3 , and the temperature in the cabin is 282 K .

σ(N2)=4.3×10−19m2

Part A

Assuming it takes the space shuttle about 8 hours from entry into orbit until landing, what is the largest circular aperture created by a hull puncture that can be safely tolerated assuming that the flow of gas out of the spaceship is effusive?

A =

Part B

Calculate the mean free path for N₂ at 1 atm and a₂. (You can assume that the air is adequately represented by N₂.)

λN₂ =

Part C

Can the escaping gas from the spaceship be considered as an effusive process?

yes or no

Answer 1

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