Ballistic limit curves for non-spherical projectiles impacting dual-wall spacecraft systems

Abstract

Ballistic limit curves are presented for a variety of cylindrical projectile shapes impacting a typical dual-wall spacecraft wall configuration. These curves are compared against the ballistic limit curve for spherical projectiles impacting the same dual-wall system. All curves are drawn using the results of numerical simulations of the high speed impact process. It is found that the ballistic limit curves for all of the cylindrical projectiles lie beneath the curve for spherical projectiles, that is, cylindrical projectiles have more penetrating capability than comparable spherical projectiles. The implication is that if spacecraft wall systems are designed using spherical projectile-based ballistic limit curves, the design can be hQhly non-conservative.