Whipple Bumper Shield Tests at Over 10 KM/S [Book Chapter]

Conference · Sat Nov 16 23:00:00 EST 2013 · Shock Compression of Condensed Matter–1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-444-89732-9.50230-2· OSTI ID:5555324

Chhabildas, Lalit C. ^[1]; Hertel, Eugene S. ^[1]; Hill, Scott A. ^[2]

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1. Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
2. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Huntsville, AL (United States)

A series of experiments has been performed on the Sandia HyperVelocity Launcher (HVL) to evaluate the effectiveness of a thin Whipple bumper shield at impact velocities up to 10.5 km/s by orbital space debris. Upon impact by an 0.67gm (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 in excess of 14 km/s and expands radially at a velocity of ~ 7 km/s. Subsequent loading on a 3.2 mm thick aluminum substructure by the debris cloud penetrates the substructure completely.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5555324
• Report Number(s): SAND--91-0033C; CONF-9107105--31; ON: DE91014284; ISBN: 978-0-444-89732-9
• Journal Information: Shock Compression of Condensed Matter–1991, Journal Name: Shock Compression of Condensed Matter–1991
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360103* -- Metals & Alloys-- Mechanical Properties
ALUMINIUM
ELEMENTS
IMPACT SHOCK
IMPACT TESTS
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICAL TESTS
METALS
PLATES
PRESSURE EFFECTS
SPACE VEHICLES
TESTING
VEHICLES
VELOCITY
VERY HIGH PRESSURE