Investigation of Whipple shield hypervelocity impact based on scaled test method

Hypervelocity impact above 7 km/s was investigated based on scaled test method for spacecraft shielding issue. Simulation models of single bumper and Whipple shield were built, both Al-Al impact and Cd-Cd impact problems were simulated under multiple cases. The comparison of test and simulation showed the validity of simulation technique and scaled test method was also verified from the view of simulation. Adaptedness analysis was applied on scaled test method. The result shows that the method is well adapted for the impactor shape and impact velocity, but has larger error for the rear wall of Whipple shield. Failure mode analysis of Whipple shield rear wall indicated that the error was caused by the discontinuity of failure mode. Ballistic limit was investigated finally for Whipple shield above 7 km/s. The result shows that the discontinuity of failure mode in the rear wall cause the bifurcation of ballistic limit curve within this velocity range.