AbstractA series of 19 hypervelocity impact tests have been performed on ISS-representative structure walls to evaluate the effect on micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) protective capability caused by replacing honeycomb sandwich panel cores with metallic open-cell foam. In the experiments, secondary impacts on individual foam ligaments were found to raise the thermal state of projectile and bumper fragments, inducing break-up and melt at lower impact velocities than the baseline honeycomb configuration. A ballistic limit equation is derived for the foam-modified configuration, and in comparison with the honeycomb baseline a performance increase of 3–15% at normal incidence was predicted. With increasing impact obliquity, the enhancement in protective capability provided by modification is predicted to further increase. Reduction in penetration and failure risk posed by MMOD impacts is achieved by the foam-modified configuration without a significant decrease in mechanical or thermal performance, and with no additional weight. As such, it is considered a promising upgrade to MMOD shielding on ISS modules, which incorporate honeycomb sandwich panels and are yet to fly.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Honeycomb vs. foam: Evaluating potential upgrades to ISS module shielding


    Contributors:
    Ryan, S. (author) / Hedman, T. (author) / Christiansen, E.L. (author)

    Published in:

    Acta Astronautica ; 67 , 7-8 ; 818-825


    Publication date :

    2010-05-27


    Size :

    8 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English





    Honeycomb foam structure seat

    GAO ZHENHAI / CHEN FEI / GAO FEI et al. | European Patent Office | 2015

    Free access

    Evaluating and specifying pumped storage upgrades

    Harty, F.R. | Online Contents | 1997


    Upgrades

    Allport, Dave | Online Contents | 1998