The Experiment Study on Flash Spectrum Produced by Hypervelocity Impact

Abstract

It is an inevitable phenomenon that flash is generated in the process of hypervelocity impact. The research on impact flash is of important significance for assessing the collision between space debris and spacecraft, identifying the material properties on the surface of planet, evaluating the damage of weapon system. A measurement system was built in order to acquire flash spectrum ranging in wavelength from 200 to 1100nm. The relationship between flash intensity and impact velocity was studied. The spectrum consists of line spectrum and continuous spectrum. Line spectrum mainly concentrates in the range of 200-500nm. The spectral lines of the elements were identified. The strong flash happens within 2.2ms after beginning to impact. In addition, the electron temperature of plasma produced in hypervelocity impact is calculated by spectral method, and compared with the temperature measured by Langmuir three probes.