Complex sentence: Although critical areas of spacecraft are normally protected by Whipple shields, eliminating most damage, wear from low-mass impacts affects the life of solar powered spacecraft, as solar panels must be directly exposed to the Sun, and they are often punctured by debris.
Split into simpler sentences: Although critical areas are normally protected by Whipple shields, eliminating most damage, low-mass impacts affect the life of a space mission if the craft is powered by solar panels. These panels are difficult to protect since their face must be directly exposed to the Sun, and they are often punctured by debris.