Numerical Simulation of Double Hypervelocity Impacts on the Satellite Propellant Tank with Baffle Protection

Abstract:

The space debris of centimeter-size could pierce through the satellite shell and cause a first impact to the shell protection and a second impact to the internal structure. This paper focuses on the double hypervelocity impacts of the satellite propellant tank with baffle protection. The simplified 2D axisymmetric analysis model has been built and the double impact damaging effects were simulated based on the SPH algorithm. Three different speeds of the centimeter-size pill (10km/s, 7km/s and 5km/s) were selected and the simulation results turned out to be consistent with the empirical formula of the ground experiments, which proved the effectiveness of the simulation results. The average velocity changing curve showed that the residual energy of the fragment cloud decreased significantly after the second impact. As a result, the double-layer or multilayer protective structure is of great significance and should be prioritized for the satellite shell design.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 687-691)
• Pages: 669-673
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.687-691.669
• Online since: November 2014
• Authors: Chao Zhang, Xiao Hui Xu, Yan He Zhu*, Zhi Hui Yao
• Keywords: Double Hypervelocity Impacts, Numerical Simulation, Satellite Propellant Tank

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