A Whipple Shield is a protective device used in spacecraft to guard against impacts from micrometeoroids and orbital debris. It consists of multiple layers, typically made of materials like aluminum or Kevlar, designed to absorb and dissipate the energy from high-speed impacts. The outer layer breaks up incoming particles, while the inner layers catch the debris fragments, minimizing damage to the spacecraft. This technology is named after Fred Whipple, an American astronomer who proposed the concept in the 1940s. Whipple Shields are crucial for the safety of missions involving satellites and crewed spacecraft, such as those operated by NASA and other space agencies.