Title: Design of an explosive micro-particle accelerator to simulate micrometeoroid impacts in space

Authors: Sabine Fuierer; Noah Manz; Michael Hargather; Paul Fuierer

Addresses: Materials Synthesis and Integrated Devices Group (MPA-11), Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA ' Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech), Socorro, NM 87801, USA ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech), Socorro, NM 87801, USA ' Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech), Socorro, NM 87801, USA

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to describe the process taken by a small team of engineering students to design, construct and test a benchtop micro-particle accelerator capable of simulating micrometeoroid (MM) impacts. An apparatus, named low orbit kinetic impactor (LOKI), was completed, whose critical components include a vacuum pump and chamber capable of p < 10 torr, electric bridge wire detonator, SiC particle - nitrocellulose film, and adjustable target mount. Target distances of 75-380 mm are possible depending on required particle trajectory and velocity. Windows allow high-speed videography to measure velocities and observe impacts. Gurney velocity and particle drag calculations predict particle velocities to 3.8 km/s in vacuum. Preliminary imaging approximates velocities of 3.3 km/s. Post-test analysis of Kapton and acrylic targets reveal classic impact cratering. The novelty of LOKI includes its ability to accelerate particle sizes typical of MMs to threshold hypervelocity, its simplicity and flexibility. The apparatus and method described could represent a standard for rapid and inexpensive test screening of aerospace materials and coatings.

Keywords: micrometeoroid; micro-particle accelerator; explosive; hypervelocity; Gurney velocity; impact testing; low earth orbit; aerospace materials; engineering design process; capstone project.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPR.2023.134223

International Journal of Student Project Reporting, 2023 Vol.1 No.4, pp.301 - 327

Received: 12 Nov 2022
Accepted: 03 Mar 2023
Published online: 13 Oct 2023 *

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