Characterizing Fragments from Impact on A Micro Satellite

Paper number

IAC-05-B6.2.04

Author

Mr. Kyohei Nakashima, Kyushu University, Japan

Coauthor

Prof. Toshiya Hanada, Kyushu University, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Takayuki Harano, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Yu Machida, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Takao Koura, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan

Year

2005

Abstract

This paper characterizes the properties of fragments from impact on a micro satellite. Most collisions in geostationary earth orbit would be low-velocity collisions. Low-velocity impact phenomena are not well clarified in spite of a simpler mechanism of destruction. We have found out that the NASA standard breakup model can be applied to low-velocity non-catastrophic collisions with some simple modifications. 
However, we are not sure if it can also be applied to low-velocity catastrophic collisions, wherein both projectile and target are totally fragmented. The difference between a catastrophic and a non-catastrophic collision would be determined by the ratio of kinetic energy at impact to target mass. The NASA standard breakup model has defined if the ratio is equal to or greater than 40 J/g, then the collision is catastrophic. Therefore, we hit a micro satellite of a mass of 681.5g by a solid aluminum alloy sphere of a mass of 38.9 g with a diameter of 29.85 mm at a speed of 1.35 km/s. This impact carried out above is catastrophic in modeling. The target is a cylindrical micro satellite, whose diameter and height is 141.3 mm and 158.1mm respectively. It has no side panels and is divided into 4 layers by 5 CFRP panels.
This paper also compares fragments properties with those generated by the NASA standard breakup model 2000 revision to show: 1) size distribution model in the standard breakup model can be applied to a catastrophic low-velocity collision with some simple modifications and 2) size-to-area conversion model in the standard breakup model can be applied to a catastrophic low-velocity collision.

Abstract document

IAC-05-B6.2.04.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-B6.2.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.