Ballistic limit equations in ballistic and shatter regions

Ballistic limit equations are used to predict the damage of spacecraft subjected to impacts by space debris and meteoroids. This paper presents two new ballistic limit equations for impact velocities in the ballistic and shatter regions, respectively. The methodology used to develop the two ballistic limit equations involves the energy balance law and Cohen's debris cratering model. A very often form for ballistic limit equations based on the crater depth in a semi-infinite target was used for the both equations. The limit velocity between the ballistic and shatter regions was expressed as a non-dimensional equation in this paper. Agreement observed between existing and proposed results confirmed the validity of the presented equations.