Modeling Effects of Chemical Explosives for Excavation on Moon
Publication: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 5, Issue 1
Abstract
Twelve model tests of chemical explosives (1 g and 0.25 g) of PETN were conducted at 1 g ( [moon]) and 10 g ( [moon]) using the geotechnical centrifuge to determine the effect of chemical explosives on cratering and loosening a compacted lunar simulant prior to excavation. Even small depths of burial of the explosives were found to increase markedly the volume and lip of resulting apparent craters; optimum depths of burial were not pinpointed. Volumes of craters from PETN charges of different weights but equal depths of burial, were related as when charges were fully buried, but not for surface tangent charges. Tests conducted at 1 g and 10 g showed no detectable difference in crater volumes for the depths of burial tested. Constraints to extrapolating the research to the lunar surface (using simulant rather than actual lunar soil; working in earth's atmosphere rather than in a vacuum; and working at greater than 1 g [moon]) are acknowledged.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 5 • Issue 1 • January 1992
Pages: 44 - 58
Copyright
Copyright © 1992 ASCE.
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Published online: Jan 1, 1992
Published in print: Jan 1992
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