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Capabilities of NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center's Impact Testing FacilityThe Impact Testing Facility (ITF) serves as an important installation for materials science at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). With an array of air, powder, and two-stage light gas guns, a variety of projectile and target types and sizes can be accommodated. The ITF allows for simulation of impactors from rain to micrometeoroids and orbital debris on materials being investigated for space, atmospheric, and ground use. Expendable, relatively simple launch assemblies are used to obtain well-documented results for impact conditions comparable to those from ballistic and rocket sled ranges at considerably lower cost. In addition, for applications requiring study of impacts at speeds in excess of those attainable by gun launches, hydrocode simulations, validated by test data, can be used to extend the velocity range. In addition to serving various NASA directorates, the ITF has performed testing on behalf of the European and Russian space agencies, as well as the Department of Defense, and academic institutions. The m s contributions not only enable safer space flight for NASA s astronauts, but can help design materials and structures to protect soldiers and civilians on Earth, through advances in body armor, aircraft survivability, and a variety of other applications.
Document ID
20060024609
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Hovater, Mary
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Hubbs, Whitney
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Finchum, Andy
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Evans, Steve
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Nehls, Mary
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2006
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: 2006 National Space and Missile Symposium
Location: Orlando, FL
Country: United States
Start Date: June 26, 2006
End Date: June 30, 2006
Sponsors: Department of the Air Force, Department of the Army, Department of the Navy
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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