Effect of the surface shape of a large space body on its fragmentation in a planetary atmosphere

TL;DR

This study investigates how the surface shape of large space bodies affects their fragmentation during atmospheric entry, using finite element and fluid dynamics simulations to identify conditions leading to breakup or integrity preservation.

Contribution

It introduces a computational approach to analyze the impact of surface irregularities on the aerodynamic forces causing fragmentation of space iron bodies.

Findings

Irregular surface shapes generate transverse aerodynamic forces.

Such forces can induce deformation stress exceeding iron's tensile strength.

Surface shape significantly influences fragmentation likelihood.

Abstract

Employing the finite element and computational fluid dynamics methods, we have determined the conditions for the fragmentation of space bodies or preservation of their integrity when they penetrate into the Earth's atmosphere. The origin of forces contributing to the fragmentation of space iron bodies during the passage through the dense layers of the planetary atmosphere has been studied. It was shown that the irregular shape of the surface can produce transverse aerodynamic forces capable of causing deformation stress in the body exceeding the tensile strength threshold of iron.