Damage characteristics of rear walls of aluminum whipple shields by oblique hypervelocity impact of aluminum spheres

In order to simulate and study the oblique hypervelocity impacts of space debris on bumper of spacecrafts, a series of oblique hypervelocity impact experiments of aluminum Whipple shields are carried out by a two-stage light gas gun. The aluminum alloy projectile diameter is 3.97 mm, the impact velocities range from 1.14 to 5.35 km/s, and the impact angles range from 0° to 70°. The crater distributions on the rear wall of aluminum Whipple shield obliquely impacted by aluminum spheres are obtained and analyzed. In addition, the forecast equations for crater distribution on the rear wall of aluminum Whipple shield by oblique hypervelocity impact are derived. The results indicate that there are two crater distribution areas on the rear wall under hypervelocity oblique impact. The critical fragmentation velocity of projectile will bring effect on the relationship between the impact damage law of rear wall and impact angle. For aluminum alloy Whipple shield, there exists a critical initial collision angle at which the impact damage on the rear wall is the most severe.