Patent ID: 6899009

Claim:
A hypervelocity particle shield for protection against at least one hypervelocity particle having a normal velocity component greater than 6.4 km/s, comprising: a plurality of spaced apart flexible shield layers, at least one of which is made of a flexible ceramic fabric; a resilient support layer between adjacent ones of the flexible shield layers, the resilient support layer including at least one space qualified foam layer, wherein the at least one flexible shield layer has an areal density (m b ) that is substantially equal to m b =0.185·d·ρ p , wherein d equals the diameter of the hypervelocity particle, and ρ p equals the density of the hypervelocity particle; at least one thermal insulation layer disposed on the plurality of flexible shield layers; a vented, abrasion resistant protective cover configured to enclose the flexible shield layers and having an absorptivity to emissivity ratio selected to provide a predetermined level of thermal protection; and fasteners attached to the protective cover and capable of releasably securing the flexible shield layers to a structure to be protected.