Experimental investigation of the relationship between impact crater morphology and impacting particle velocity and direction
Interpretation of the wealth of impact data available from the Long Duration Exposure Facility, in terms of the absolute and relative populations of space debris and natural micrometeoroids, requires three dimensional models of the distribution of impact directions, velocities and masses of such particles, as well as understanding of the impact processes. Although the stabilized orbit of LDEF provides limited directional information, it is possible to determine more accurate impact directions from detailed crater morphology. The applicability of this technique has already been demonstrated but the relationship between crater shape and impactor direction and velocity has not been derived in detail. The authors present the results of impact experiments and simulations: (1) impacts at micron dimensions using the Unit`s 2MV Van de Graaff accelerator; (2) impacts at mm dimensions using a Light Gas Gun; and (3) computer simulations using AUTODYN-3D from which they hope to derive an empirical relationship between crater shape and impactor velocity, direction and particle properties. Such a relationship can be applied to any surface exposed to space debris or micrometeoroid particles for which a detailed pointing history is available.
- Research Organization:
- NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 42762
- Report Number(s):
- N-95-23796; NASA-CP-3275-PT-1; L-17430A-PT-1; NAS-1.55:3275-PT-1; CONF-9311137-; TRN: 9523840
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 3. long duration exposure flight (LDEF) symposium, Williamsburg, VA (United States), 8-12 Nov 1993; Other Information: PBD: Feb 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of LDEF: 69 Months in Space. Third Post-Retrieval Symposium, part 1; Levine, A.S.; PB: [10] p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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