Debris clouds produced by the hypervelocity impact of nonspherical projectiles

The significant features of debris clouds produced by the normal impact of spheres are described and compared with the features of debris clouds produced by the normal impact of nonspherical projectiles. Projectile shape and orientation at impact are shown to have a significant effect on the ability of a single-sheet bumper shield to promote the breakup of the projectile and the dispersion of the projectile fragments. The debris clouds produced by the normal impact of spheres are “relatively benign” in terms of their potential for damage to the rear wall of a spacecraft. Debris clouds produced by nonspherical projectiles contain one or more very large fragments at their leading edge that significantly threaten rear wall integrity.