Toward a more generalized ballistic limit equation for multi-shock shields.

In this paper we develop a single ballistic limit equation for multi-shock shields that is applicable to materials other than those used in its original development, that is applicable to impact scenarios at impact velocities beyond the testable regime and includes an improved projectile density term. The predictions of this ballistic limit equation regarding whether or not a particular multi-shock shield would be perforated by a specific impact was found to compare favorably with both test results and the results of numerical simulation predictions. In the end, the ballistic limit equation developed herein is seen to be not only more applicable to a wider class of spacecraft designs, but also can be used for trade studies that are typically performed to select and optimize multi-shock shielding designs for future spacecraft. • The multishock shield is a big improvement over the traditional Whipple Shield • A new, more general, multishock shield ballistic limit equation is developed • This equation compares very favorably against experimental results • This new form of the BLE can be used in trade studies and probabilistic risk assessments [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]