A series of experiments has been performed on the Sandia HyperVelocity Launcher (HVL) to evaluate the effectiveness of thin Whipple bumper shield at impact velocities up to 10.4 km/s by orbital space debris. Upon impact by a 0.67 gm (0.87 mm thick) flier plate, the thin aluminum bumper shield completely disintegrates into a debris cloud. The debris cloud front propagates axially at velocities of (approximately)14 km/s and expands radially at a velocity of (approximately)7 km/s. Subsequent loading on a 3.2 mm thick aluminum substructure by the debris penetrates the substructure completely. Numerical simulations performed using the multi-dimensional hydrodynamics code CTH also predict complete penetration of the substructure by the subsequent debris cloud. 7 refs., 4 figs.
Experimental and numerical simulations of orbital debris impact on a simple Whipple bumper shield
1991
7 pages
Report
No indication
English
Space Technology , Impact Tests , Aluminium , Satellites , Space Vehicles , Acceleration , C Codes , Hydrodynamics , Plates , Shielding , Velocity , EDB/420500 , EDB/360103 , Space debris
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