Abstract Space debris impacts at hypervelocity of several tens of km/s threaten the survival of space structures. In the case of International Space Station, the concept of Whipple shield is applied to protect the astronauts and the electronic devices from impact of space debris. In this study, a Whipple shield design comprising of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene were proposed to improve the space debris impact shielding efficiency over conventional Whipple shields. Ballistic performance was evaluated by a two-stage lightweight gas gun capable of accelerating 5.56 mm diameter aluminum projectiles to 4 km/s. High-temperature impact tests and outgassing tests were performed for space environment application. Through the test, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene was better ballistic performance and outgassing properties than Kevlar used in conventional Whipple shield. Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene can be an effective way to provide cosmic radiation shielding and ballistic capability for future spacecraft designs.

    Highlights Ballistic performance of UHMWPE was better than Kevlar. Space-temperature has degraded UHMWPE's ballistic performance. The outgassing properties of UHMWPE were superior to Kevlar.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene as a hypervelocity impact shielding material for space structures


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Acta Astronautica ; 168 ; 182-190


    Publication date :

    2019-12-05


    Size :

    9 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene rope

    WANG SHIDONG / CAI ZHENGGUO / SONG XIAOYAN et al. | European Patent Office | 2021

    Free access

    Hypervelocity Impact Response of Polyethylene Plates

    Rogers, Jacob / Mead, Paul T. / Harrison, Khari et al. | AIAA | 2021


    Proton irradiation of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene for space applications

    Stephens, C.P. / Benson, R.S. / Song, H. et al. | Tema Archive | 2008


    Production method of impact-resistant ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene buoy

    WANG LIJUN / WANG XUETAO | European Patent Office | 2022

    Free access

    SIMULATION OF HYPERVELOCITY DEBRIS IMPACT AND SPACECRAFT SHIELDING PERFORMANCE

    Lukyanov, A. A. / Reveles, J. R. / Vignjevic, R. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2005