Large Two-Stage Light-Gas Gun Facility
Spacecraft Impact Testing and Hazards Analysis
Projectile impacts from even seemingly harmless objects like a piece of foam or a bird can result in a catastrophic event. We test over a wide range of impact conditions from low to hypervelocity impacts to develop shielding from concept to final product.
Hypervelocity Impact Testing & Modeling
For space and aerospace clients, SwRI uses finite element, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and hydrocode computer codes to simulate a range of problems from low-velocity through hypervelocity impacts, vehicle and crew survivability, and explosion consequences for design and analysis purposes. Our hypervelocity impact testing, modeling and simulation experience includes years supporting NASA, DOD and commercial clients. SwRI developed a facility that simulates orbital debris impacts for space debris impact testing.