First-Order Simulation of Strewn Debris Fields Accompanying Exoatmospheric Re-entry Vehicle Fragmentation by Hypervelocity Impact
Abstract
This report documents a computer-based model to simulate the strewn debris field resulting from exoatmospheric ballistic missile interception by a hypervelocity kinetic kill vehicle. The model supports a suite of simulations developed to augment policy or strategic studies by capturing the basic physics of missile defence. The model is intended to serve as a "first order" approximation, describing physical processes at a level of detail sufficient to describe strewn field formation qualitatively. This report is a technical document of the physics underlying fragmentation and dispersion, and is intended for analysts working with or expanding the package. Fragmentation of ballistic missile re-entry vehicles is modelled using available information from satellite on-orbit and laboratory collisions. Atmospheric fragment re-entry is modelled using an exponentially dense ablative atmospheric model derived from meteor physics. Strewn field distributions are inferred through impact points across a range of fragment masses. Follow-on analysis packages compute and display mean and cumulative fragment densities accompanying multiple intercept scenarios. While this study did not address specific scenarios, several trends have emerged: interceptions may occur at altitudes of hundred of kilometres, several hundred seconds before scheduled RV impact. Such interceptions are often characterized by debris fields measuring several hundreds of kilometres across. Assuming uniform fragment distribution yields low mean fragment mass densities on the order of a few grams per square kilometre.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA640734
Entities
People
- Gregory W. Frank
Organizations
- Department of National Defence