Detection of Radio Frequency Waves in Hypervelocity Impact and its Energy Dependence with Mass and Velocity of the Impactor

Satellites we launch into space are subject to hazards caused by space weather, incorrect orbit, internal problems and most importantly, collisions. These collisions are a result of orbital debris and meteoroids impacting the satellites and can cause mechanical and electrical anomalies. While most of the mechanical damage is well studied and is easy to diagnose, more than half of the electrical anomalies are still unknown and may be attributed to hypervelocity impact (HVI). HVI refers to a collision where the projectile speed exceeds the speed of sound in the tar-get material and its impact energy ionizes the material near the surface, generates plasma, emits light flash and depending on the impact conditions produces radio frequency (RF) emissions. It is crucial to study RF emission as it can be intercepted by the spacecraft electronics and cause electromagnetic interference (EMI), which can result in damage to vulnerable electronic components of the spacecraft.