The Impact Testing Facility (ITF) serves as an important installation for materials science at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). With an array of air, powder, and two-stage light gas guns, a variety of projectile and target types and sizes can be accommodated. The ITF allows for simulation of impactors from rain to micrometeoroids and orbital debris on materials being investigated for space, atmospheric, and ground use. Expendable, relatively simple launch assemblies are used to obtain well-documented results for impact conditions comparable to those from ballistic and rocket sled ranges at considerably lower cost. In addition, for applications requiring study of impacts at speeds in excess of those attainable by gun launches, hydrocode simulations, validated by test data, can be used to extend the velocity range. In addition to serving various NASA directorates, the ITF has performed testing on behalf of the European and Russian space agencies, as well as the Department of Defense, and academic institutions. The m s contributions not only enable safer space flight for NASA s astronauts, but can help design materials and structures to protect soldiers and civilians on Earth, through advances in body armor, aircraft survivability, and a variety of other applications.


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    Title :

    Capabilities of NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center's Impact Testing Facility


    Contributors:
    Hovater, Mary (author) / Hubbs, Whitney (author) / Finchum, Andy (author) / Evans, Steve (author) / Nehls, Mary (author)

    Conference:

    The 2006 Electromagnetic Windows Symposium ; 2006 ; San Diego, CA, United States
    2006 National Space and Missile Symposium ; 2006 ; Orlando, FL, United States


    Publication date :

    2006-01-01


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Marshall Space Flight Center's Impact Testing Facility Capabilities

    Evans, Steve / Finchum, Andy / Hubbs, Whitney | NTRS | 2008


    Marshall Space Flight Center's Impact Testing Facility Capabilities

    Evans, Steve / Finchum, Andy / Hubbs, Whitney et al. | NTRS | 2008


    Marshall Space Flight Center's Impact Testing Facility Capabilities

    Finchum, Andy / Hubbs, Whitney / Evans, Steve | NTRS | 2008