EXPLICIT DYNAMIC SIMULATION OF A SPACE DEBRIS PROJECTILE IMPACT OVER A SATELLITE STRUCTURE

The purpose of this article is to investigate numerically the dynamic response of a satellite structure subjected to an impact with high velocity space debris. Satellites provide numerous services for modern society. They perform essential duties for military, governmental, and commercial organizations. The missions of these spacecraft include science ventures such as earth observation, interplanetary exploration, astronomy, and solar physics. They also include commercial endeavors such as television signal transmission, data transmission, and satellite telephone communication. In one of the currently considered designs of the satellite, its outer skin is planned to be constructed from two-ply composite material panels. Their structure may be subjected to impacts with space debris (mass 0.0014 kg). In the present work a transient non-linear-dynamics based analysis is carried out in order to predict the extent of damage of satellite panels during potential hypervelocity impact with space debris. The used simulation code was ANSYS/LS-DYNA, taking advantage of its explicit dynamics facilities and capability to model the impact phenomenon.