New two-stage accelerator for hypervelocity impact simulation

The present knowledge of the micrometeoroid environment and the simulation requirements for laboratory devices show that the simulated mass-velocity range must be extended to higher values in both mass and velocity. This is accomplished with the new two-stage accelerator, which consists of a light gas gun as the first stage and a coaxial accelerator with a compressor coil as the second stage. The operation of the new device is described together with a theoretical investigation of the timing of the first and the second stage, which leads to an appropriate adjustment of the two stages. The theoretical and experimental results agree well and show that 600-micron diameter glass beads have been accelerated to velocities near 20 km/sec.