HYDROCODE SIMULATIONS OF THE MULTI-SHOCK METEOROID AND DEBRIS SHIELD

Abstract

Several two-dimensional hydrocode simulations have been performed and analyzed to support the design and interpretation of experiments involving hypervelocity projectile impact onto multi-shock shield configurations.1,2 These simulations, performed with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) CALE3 hydrocode, demonstrate the increased projectile heating produced by the multi-shock concept as compared to the projectile heating by the first sheet of a conventional dual sheet “Whipple shield.” Detailed comparisons have been made of simulation results with experimental results obtained at the NASA Johnson Space Center (NASA JSC) Hypervelocity Impact Research Laboratory1 and at the Impact Physics Laboratory of the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI).2 Also described are bumper thickness and projectile velocity scaling studies.