The NASA JSC Hypervelocity Impact Technology (HVIT) Office

- HVIT’s operational objectives for NASA, commercial, and international partners are to 1) help to define MMOD risk requirements 2) provide assessments that identify risk drivers for a specific spacecraft design, and 3) work to design and optimize shielding technologies based on increasing performance and reducing mass.
- The use of Bumper-code underpins all risk assessments provided by HVIT – by using a complete FEM model, Bumper can provide a wholistic view of risk for a given design and mission profile.
- A full risk assessment, however, requires an iterative approach, where Bumper is first used to identify potential risk drivers. Subsequent analysis can focus on iterating the shield design in highest risk areas. And may include the refinement of BLEs through testing, design modification, or reexamination of the failure criteria.
- HVIT utilizes a wide-range of expertise to provide the most accurate risk assessments possible – areas of active research are highlighted below.