Response of a Aluminum Honeycomb Subjected to Hypervelocity Impacts

We investigated the effect of hypervelocity impacts of micrometeoroids and small-scale orbital space debris (M/OD) on space structures by comparing numerical simulation results obtained using the AUTODYN-2D hydrocode with the results of experiments using a two- stage light gas gun. The response of an aluminum honeycomb structure to 6 km/s high-velocity impacts is shown and discussed. AUTODYN-2D, which is used for impact analysis of complex physical systems including fluid and solid materials, was used to simulate impacts at 2–15 km/s. Material models used in the simulation to allow investigation of phenomena over a wide range of impact velocities, including shock-induced vaporization, are also presented and discussed.