Hypervelocity Impact Debris Cloud Trajectory-Planning based on Additive Manufactured Lattice Structures

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel lattice-based protective structure for spacecraft that deflects and dissipates hypervelocity debris clouds, validated through experiments and simulations, offering an effective solution for space debris impact mitigation.

Contribution

It proposes a trajectory-planning lattice structure with optimized parameters for hypervelocity impact protection, combining experimental and numerical validation.

Findings

Lattice structures effectively deflect debris-cloud momentum.

Gradient design enables continuous momentum change and energy dissipation.

Structure remains intact under oblique impact conditions.

Abstract

Space debris and micrometeoroid (MMOD) impacts pose a serious threat to the safe operation of spacecraft. However, traditional protective structures typically suffer from limitations such as excessive thickness and inadequate load-bearing capacity. Guided by the design concepts of debris-cloud deflection and hierarchical energy dissipation, this study proposes a trajectory-planning lattice protective structure. First, the lattice parameters and geometry were designed according to the functional relationship between the incident angle and the transmitted/ricochet trajectory angles. Subsequently, multi-angle hypervelocity impact experiments were carried out to evaluate the proposed lattice protection structure. In combination with post-impact CT three-dimensional reconstruction and smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) numerical simulations, the protective mechanisms of the lattice structure were systematically characterized and clarified. The results demonstrate that, for three oblique incidence conditions, the lattice structure remained intact and significantly deflected the debris-cloud momentum direction while effectively dissipating its kinetic energy. The angled plates with gradient designs enabled continuous changes in the momentum direction and stepwise kinetic energy dissipation through multiple cycles of debrisation, dispersion, and trajectory deflection. This research presents a novel, engineering-ready approach for spacecraft MMOD protection and validates the potential of trajectory-planning lattice structures for hypervelocity impact defense.