Hypervelocity impact on honeycomb target structures: Experiments and modeling

An engineering model to describe fragments clouds propagating inside spacecraft in consequence of space debris impact on sandwich panel structures

“…K HC is related to the multiple impacts of the largest fragment on the honeycomb cell walls and was therefore related to the honeycomb cells properties (equivalent diameter q and wall thickness r; q is the diameter of the circle circumscribing a hexagonal honeycomb cell), the honeycomb core thickness (without face-sheets) S and the impact angle θ. Following these assumptions, K HC was obtained by reverse fitting, at oblique impact angle, the Ballistic Limit Equation for sandwich panels used by Sibeaud et al [18], where r, S and q are measured in cm (see Eq. (6b)).…”

“…The articulated and extensive physical interactions occurring in sandwich panels in fact require sophisticated models, while the large number of possible different configurations hinders the description of the fragmentation process with few simple parameters. In this context, computer simulations have been extensively used [22,21,13,18] alongside more reliable but expensive impact tests campaign [16]. In order to describe debris clouds properties, the just mentioned references propose also empirical models based on computational fits of gathered data.…”

Honeycomb vs. foam: Evaluating potential upgrades to ISS module shielding

“…Jex et al [1] and Sibeaud et al [2] discussed that the presence of a honeycomb core enhanced the shielding performance of a dual-wall structure at hypervelocity. They concluded that secondary impacts between ejecta fragments and cell walls overcompensated for the detrimental effect of channeling.…”

A Study on the Split Effect of Projectile Debris on Honeycomb Core

“…The speed of space debris impact the spacecraft is about 1~15 km/s, and a mass of complex phenomena accompanied in the process of the high speed impact [2][3][4]. Honeycomb sandwich panel has already become the "target" [5,6] of space debris strike because it is usually used as the outer wall of the spacecraft. Strike in honeycomb sandwich board panels produced a series of injuries, such as perforation, beat, tear, as well as honeycomb core wrinkle, fracture, disintegrate, etc.…”