Simulated Meteoroid Impact Testing on a Composite Expandable Structure for Spacecraft Airlock Application
Abstract
Simulated meteoroid impact tests were conducted on an expandable, elastic recovery, four-layer composite material proposed for flight testing in a dummy airlock configuration aboard a NASA S-IVB Orbital Workshop. The tests were conducted to obtain the ballistic limit of the structure and to determine its behavior during simulated meteoroid perforation while enclosing a typical oxygen-rich spacecraft atmosphere. Spherical aluminum projectiles at a velocity of about 20,000 ft/sec were used on the tests, and perforation occurred for projectile masses greater than about 0.004 gm. The resistance of the structure to perforation was not affected by the presence of oxygen at 5 psia behind the test sample except under certain conditions in which the structure was compressed by the gas pressure together with the clamping arrangement used to fasten the sample to the test tank. The combustion front which exists inside a vessel containing a high concentration of oxygen when the vessel is perforated by a high-speed projectile was photographically recorded.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0850512
Entities
People
- William H. Carden
Organizations
- Arnold Engineering Development Complex