Debris behavior and damage characteristics of lattice structures under hypervelocity impact

The continued degradation of low earth orbit environment has intensified the risk of space debris impact on spacecraft, signaling the urgent need for high-performance protective structures. Lattice structures, featuring high specific strength and stiffness, excellent design flexibility and multifunctionality, are regarded as promising protective structures. Their three-dimensional open channels, however, yield protection and damage evolution distinct from conventional shielding materials. In this study, an FE-SPH adaptive coupling method is employed to develop a numerical model of the hypervelocity impact of a spherical projectile on a lattice structure. The simulations verify the open channels permitting fragment penetration, clarify the mechanisms linking fragment motion to target damage, and reveal the effects of lattices on the debris cloud generation, development, and morphology. Results indicate that pronounced channeling effect and insufficient target fragmentation lead to low energy absorption efficiency and the formation of highly threatening dominant debris jets, ultimately resulting in suboptimal shielding performance. The systematic analysis conducted in this study provides a corresponding reference for the subsequent research on lattice structures applied to space debris shielding.