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The paper presents a numerical simulation of hypervelocity impacts of variously
shaped projectiles with thin bumpers. A numerical model was verified using a full-scale
experiment of hypervelocity impact of a sphere with thin aluminum-alloy bumper.
Hypervelocity impacts of nonspherical projectiles of different spatial orientation with thin
bumpers were also numerically investigated. The investigations show that a hypervelocity
impact of a nonspherical projectile advancing with its sharp edge towards the bumper results
in a denser debris cloud formation and, therefore, such an impact is more dangerous than any
of other considered cases for the spaced protection.
Keywords: hypervelocity impact, space debris, non-spherical projectiles, debris clouds, Whipple shields |
full paper (pdf, 1536 Kb)