Multilayer material for the Whipple shield front bumper of spacecrafts
This case study, the winning report from the 2023 Ansys International Materials Selection Challenge, explores the design of an impedance-graded Whipple shield using Ansys Granta EduPackTM, a teaching software for materials education. As space travel advances, spacecraft face increasing risks from hypervelocity (3–18 km/s) space debris. Whipple shields mitigate impact damage by fragmenting projectiles upon collision. Impedance-graded designs enhance this effect through shockwave interactions, inducing stresses that further break the debris. This project optimizes such a design with an added thermal insulation layer. The results align with the 2023 software release, showcasing advanced materials selection for space applications.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain the function and structure of Whipple shields in mitigating hypervelocity impacts from space debris.
- Derive appropriate performance indices for assessing impact-resistant materials in spacecraft protection.
- Select materials for a multilayer impact-resistant system based on mechanical, thermal, and mass constraints.
Applicable Courses
- Materials Selection
- Mechanics of Materials
- High Speed Aerodynamics
Related Resources
- Performance Indices Reference Booklet
- 2023 International Materials Selection Challenge Final Reports
- 2024 International Materials Selection Challenge Final Reports
Downloadable Content
- Case study PDF