Preliminary Evaluation Of Earth Targets For Use In Impact Effects Studies

The Aerospace Nuclear Safety Program at Sandia Corporation requires an independent assessment of the safety of all nuclear power supplies used in aerospace under all conditions from factory shipment through re-entry from space. The effects of impact against any point on the earth by a nuclear power supply or its components must be evaluated as part of this assessment. This report: (1) evluates the fundamental mechanisms involved in soil impacts by cylindrical projectiles with velocities of 500-700 feet per second; (2) defines the problem of specifying impact targets which closely simulate various portions of the earth's surface; and (3) describes an analytical and experimental program intended to obtain the information needed to properly specify a simulated earth target for use in Aerospace Nuclear Safety impact tests.