The Hypervelocity Impacts and Dusty Plasma Lab and the Space Science Laboratory

The HIDPL and the SSL are co-located in a separate, stand alone building on the TSTC campus. During the spring of 2001, the GEC RF Reference Cell was installed within the lab. The Cell is now operational with calibration and diagnostics on-line. The laser bay and microparticle accelerators are currently operational with the 2J Y¦s ruby laser lab, the 130 mJ ps Nd:Yag laser lab, the accelerator (light gas and electrostatic) lab and the diagnostics/sensor development lab on-line.

The HIDPL is able to either accelerate or simulate hypervelocity impacts for different mass regimes over a wide range of velocities. However there are many mass-velocity regimes which show up in the real world that cannot be obtained in the laboratory. One method of investigating these is to use numerical methods techniques. A computer program which simulates a hypervelocity impact event(s) is called a hydrocode. Extensive research into the development of realistic physically based codes has been conducted over the past decade, extending the experimental testing capability into regimes not yet attainable within a laboratory. As a result, this approach for developing spacecraft and satellite shielding solutions is becoming more and more prevalent.

The HIDPL and the SSL are able to provide extensive on-site troubleshooting, system analysis, fabrication and manufacturing capabilities through their relationship with Texas State Technical College. Through TSTC, both the HIDPL and the SSL are able to provide support for programmable logic controllers, computer instrumentation, robotic interfacing, circuit analysis, measurement and fault diagnosis. Additionally, the fabrication, maintenance and troubleshooting of laser systems, electro-optics and vacuum systems can also be obtained.

Large scale manufacturing/fabrication capabilities include plastic injection molding, computer-aided manufacturing capabilities in industry-standard automated equipment labs utilizing manufacturing software, robotic material handling devices, and CNC machine tools. Basic and advanced welding is available including non-destructive testing of materials, fully-programmable microprocessor wire feeder capabilities and pipe and structural welding.

Additional information on CASPER's experimental facilities may be found at the HIDPL and SSL web site . Additional information on CASPER experimental research opportunities may be found at the HIDPL and SSL Research Opportunities web site . If you are interested in research at this facility, please contact Truell Hyde.