pyBLOSSUM: An open-source python repository for assessing the ballistic limit of spacecraft structures under space debris impact

Abstract

We introduce pyBLOSSUM – an open-source python repository of ballistic limit equations (BLEs) for assessing the performance of spacecraft structures under impact of space debris particles. BLEs are provided for a range of monolithic structure walls, dual wall shields (e.g., Whipple shields, honeycomb sandwich panels, etc.), as well as advanced shielding concepts (e.g., multi-shock shields, etc.) and thermal protection systems. In addition to the BLEs, the pyBLOSSUM repository also contains >1700 collated hypervelocity impact experimental data for several common type of debris shield. pyBLOSSUM provides a central repository of BLEs, most fully analytical but some requiring numerical solutions, that can be used by researchers and engineers for micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) risk assessments. The source code and experimental datasets can be freely downloaded and used by researchers worldwide.