Hypervelocity impact simulations on space structures using various shielding systems.

In this study, hypervelocity impact (HVI) simulations between a space object and space structure using various shielding systems are conducted. A nonlinear structural dynamics analysis code, LS-DYNA, is used. The space object at 6.910 km/s is modeled as an Al2017-T4 sphere with a diameter of 2 mm. The four types of space sandwich structures with the same mass of 0.0121 kg are considered to investigate the shielding performances and are modeled as honeycomb core sandwich panel (HCSP), lattice core sandwich panel (LCSP), LC/HCSP, and HC/LCSP. The shielding performances and final failure shapes of the space structures are studied through the HVI simulations on the space structure using various shielding systems. The HCSP fails to protect due to the channeling effect, resulting in failure to the rear wall. The three types of the shielding systems using the LC successfully protect the space structure from the HVI with the space object as the debris cloud is distributed by the multishock effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]