Effects of Debris Cloud Interaction with Satellites Critical Equipments – Experiments and Modeling

The level of damage imparted on three types of satellites components resulting from hypervelocity impacts of aluminum projectiles onto a neighboring structural part have been assessed experimentally by using a double stage light gas gun. The experimental configurations were designed to simulate debris encounters with a space vehicle during its operational life time around the Earth. The first test was conducted against a set of separate harness strapped down on the inner surface of a carbon facesheet sandwich panel in order to assess the effectiveness of redundant cables spacing in case of unitary debris perforating impact onto the structure. The resistance to damaging of a silicon carbide mirror and a solar panel was then evaluated against debris cloud generated by prior impact of chunky debris with the satellite structure. Potential losses of electrical functional capabilities were then derived. The vulnerability/Survivability Pléiades software was updated accordingly.