Characteristics structure analysis on debris cloud in the hypervelocity impact of disk projectile on thin plate

In this paper, the gauge points setting is introduced in the SPH simulation to analyze the debris cloud structure generated by the hypervelocity impact of disk projectile on thin plate. Compared with the experiments, more detailed information of the debris cloud structure can be classified from the numerical simulation. However, due to the solitary dispersion and overlap display of the particles in the SPH simulation, accurate comparison between numerical and experimental results is difficult to be performed. To track the velocity and spatial distribution of the particles in the debris cloud induced from disk and plate, gauge points are locally set in the single-layer profile in the SPH model. By analyzing the gauge points’ spatial coordinate and velocity, the location and velocity of characteristic points in the debris cloud are determined. The boundary of debris cloud is achieved, as well as the fragments distribution outside the main structure of debris cloud.     

Analysis of the stress wave and rarefaction wave produced by hypervelocity impact of sphere onto thin plate

Shock wave is emitted into the plate and sphere when a sphere hypervelocity impacts onto a thin plate. The fragmentation and phase change of the material caused by the propagation and unloading of shock wave could result in the formation of debris cloud eventually. Propagation models are deduced based on one-dimensional shock wave theory and the geometry of sphere, which uses elliptic equations (corresponding to ellipsoid equations in physical space) to describe the propagation of shock wave and the rarefaction wave. The “Effective thickness” is defined as the critical plate thickness that ensures the rarefaction wave overtake the shock wave at the back of the sphere. The “Effective thickness” is directly related to the form of the debris cloud. The relation of the “Effective thickness” and the “Optimum thickness” is also discussed. The impacts of Al spheres onto Al plates are simulated within SPH to verify the propagation models and associated theories. The results show that the wave fronts predicted by the propagation models are closer to the simulation result at higher impact velocity. The curvatures of the wave fronts decrease with the increase of impact velocities. The predicted “Effective thickness” is consistent with the simulation results. The analysis about the shock wave propagation and unloading in this paper can provide a new sight and inspiration for the quantitative study of hypervelocity impact and space debris protection.     

Research and development on hypervelocity impact protection using Whipple shield: An overview

Whipple shield, a dual-wall system, as well as its improved structures, is widely applied to defend the hypervelocity impact of space debris (projectile). This paper reviews the studies about the mechanism and process of protection against hypervelocity impacts using Whipple shield. Ground-based experiment and numerical simulation for hypervelocity impact and protection are introduced briefly. Three steps of the Whipple shield protection are discussed in order, including the interaction between the projectile and bumper, the movement and diffusion of the debris cloud, and the interaction between the debris cloud and rear plate. Potential improvements of the protection performance focusing on these three steps are presented. Representative works in the last decade are mentioned specifically. Some prospects and suggestions for future studies are put forward.     

基于导弹空间飞行的空间碎片筛选方法研究

随着空间活动的日益频繁,空间碎片的数量也与日俱增,给远程弹道导弹的空间飞行安全带来巨大威胁。针对空间碎片数目繁多,为了快速进行导弹空间飞行安全预警和发射窗口选择,根据远程弹道导弹空间飞行特点,提出了适用于导弹与空间碎片碰撞预警的空间碎片筛选方法,并通过仿真计算证明了该筛选方法的科学性和合理性,该筛选方法可提高导弹空间飞行安全预警效率并缩短预警时间。     

应用地面电磁发射清除空间碎片方法

针对传统化学发射的空间碎片清除技术成本过高、难以实施的问题,提出应用地基电磁发射方式的空间碎片清除新方法。通过地面电磁发射的方式以低成本将射弹运送至空间,并通过释放空间微粒云团控制空间碎片离轨,进而实现对空间碎片的清除。由于取消使用占绝大部分成本的化学推进剂,所提出的应用地基电磁发射的空间碎片清除技术为空间碎片低成本清除提供了有效解决途径。