Graphics-Processing-Unit-Accelerated Multiphase Computational Tool for Asteroid Fragmentation/Pulverization Simulation

Abstract

The simulation of asteroid target fragmentation or pulverization is a challenging task that demands efficient and accurate numerical methods with large computational power. To this end, the high-order spectral difference method is implemented with graphics-processing-unit computing. Hypervelocity kinetic-energy impactors are of practical interest, which generate high-pressure deformational shock waves in the target bodies upon impact. Due to the extremely short deformation time associated with hypervelocity impact, the material behaves in a similar manner to a compressible fluid, and the compressible Euler equations can be applied. To model the multiple material interactions, an -phase equation model is adopted into the spectral difference method. All simulations presented are solved with graphics processing units, producing solutions orders of magnitude faster than the central-processing-unit counterpart. Several impact cases are compared, including a heavy impactor and multiple impactor system, against an asteroid target. Orbital dispersion effectiveness is evaluated, and results indicate that the multiple impactor system outperforms the single heavy impactor.