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Experimental Research on Performance of Al-Foam Stuffed Whipple Shield against Hypervelocity Impact

Jia, B. 1, Li, F. 1, Zhang, W. 1, Pang, B. J.1
Affiliation data not available1

Document details

Publishing year2009 PublisherESA Publishing typeConference Name of conference5th European Conference on Space Debris
Pagesn/a Volume
5
Issue
1
Editors
H. Lacoste

Abstract

Al-foam is a promising shielding material in the structural design of manned spacecrafts and satellites in the future. An Al-foam Stuffed Whipple Shield was presented under the concept of light-weight shield structure. Three different configurations were proposed with nearly the same total bumper areal density. Three porosities of Al-foam plate were adopted for each configuration with varying thicknesses to keep the same areal density. Hypervelocity impact tests were performed using two-stage light gas gun at 2km/s and 4km/s. The Al-foam Stuffed Whipple Shields have better performances than the equivalent Aluminum Plate Stuffed Whipple Shield and the Whipple Shield at the velocities tested. And Al-foam of higher porosity stuffed can provide better shield performance for the same configuration at a less significant level.

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