Hypervelocity impact testing of transparent spacecraft materials

Abstract

Transparent materials have been used by NASA as windows since the beginning of the Human Space Flight Program. This paper provides results of an intensive effort to determine hypervelocity impact characteristics and develop damage equations for transparent materials currently used on the International Space Station and Space Shuttle programs. The materials considered here are fused silica glass, tempered glass, and polycarbonate. Hypervelocity impact tests on these materials under a variety of impact conditions are described. Penetration equations are defined that allow assessment of impact damage to windows and are useful in BUMPER code meteoroid/orbital debris (M/OD) assessments.