Propulsive effect of spacecraft propellant tank rupture following hypervelocity impact by a micrometeoroidThe impulse due to propellant tank micrometeroid damage is estimated for the Galileo spacecraft. The modes of tank failure considered are tank burst, or rupture, and puncture, which results in a hole through which propellant escapes. Other factors relevant to this calculation include spacecraft geometry, propellant volume and properties, and available heat sources. Tank burst was found to result in a spacecraft Delta V of less than 5 m/s, while the net impulse due to puncture is less than 10,000 Newton-seconds.
Document ID
19900032891
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Jan, Darrell L. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)