This article estimates the likelihood of orbital debris
(OD) penetration of wire harnesses aboard the Joint Polar
Satellite System (JPSS) using computer hydrocode modeling
techniques, combined with an understanding of the orbital
debris distribution predicted by NASA’s Orbital Debris
Model (ORDEM 3.0), and an estimate of redundancy of
critical wires in typical 6, 18, and 36 strand cables. Based
on the unacceptable risk levels associated with these
initial results, the article describes an improved protective
blanket design that reduced OD penetration risk to
acceptable program levels.