Numerical simulation of hypervelocity impact problem for spacecraft shielding elements

Abstract

The paper is aimed at modeling results of hypervelocity impact of space debris fragments on shielding elements of space structures. For this purpose we developed numerical model based on a smoothed particle hydrodynamics method. Verification and validation of the model was made in simulation of a process of a hypervelocity impact of a spherical projectile with a thin plate and comparison with experimental data. The calculations were performed using Ls-Dyna explicit software. Both experimental and calculated debris clouds show practically identical characters of their development, their propagation velocity, shape and size. Collisions of the thin plate with other types of projectiles - cubes with various spatial orientations, cylindrical projectile were considered and their peculiarities analyzed. It was shown, that in case of the cube sharp edge impact, a debris cloud of a higher density, and therefore most dangerous for the considered systems of two plates, is formed.