Experimental hypervelocity impacts: Implication for the analysis of material retrieved after exposure to space environment. (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mandeville, Jean-Claude; Perrin, Jean-Marie; Vidal, Loïc
• Is Part Of: Acta astronautica. Volume 167(2020)
• Page Start: 429
• Page End: 439
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: Meteoroids -- Orbital debris -- Hypervelocity impact -- SEM -- EDX -- Brittle material; Astronautics -- Periodicals; Outer space -- Exploration -- Periodicals; Astronautics; Periodicals; 629.405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2019.11.020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-5765

Abstract

Abstract: During the last three decades a wide variety of surfaces have been brought back to Earth after being exposed to the space particulate environment. The impact features found on these surfaces can give clues to the characteristics of the orbital debris and meteoroids that created them. Many investigations have been carried out to derive projectile parameters (size, shape, impact angle, origin) from the morphology of impact features and the analysis of projectile their remnants inside the crater. However, there are still some ambiguities in the interpretation of these results. In this study we have investigated carefully the distinguishing features for craters caused by the impact of high velocity iron particles on thick brittle targets, using a micro-particle accelerator. Up to date instrumentation, SEM and EDX, and in depth results analysis provides an extensive data-set that can be used to improve the scientific return of the investigation of material retrieved after exposure to space. Highlights: Difficulties concerning the simulation process are discussed. Study of the geometry of the craters with SEM provides data on the size, impact angle, mass-density of impacting particles. Analysis of the projectile remnants inside the impact craters with EDX shows that the amount of projectile left is small.