エアロゲルによる宇宙固体微粒子の衝突捕集に関する数値解析モデルの検討

抄録

Aerogels have recently been widely used as a capture medium for solid particles impacting at high velocity in space. In order to estimate impact conditions of the solid particles captured in aerogels, it is necessary to better understand physics of the collection mechanism inside the aerogel. In this study, the particle collection mechanism by aerogel was studied using a combination of numerical calculations and laboratory experiments. The relationship between the velocity and size of particles impacting on the aerogel and the length and diameter of the impact tracks created inside the aerogel was clarified. By assuming that the aerogel behaves fluidly during the particle impact, the track length is approximately proportional to the particle size and velocity in low to medium velocity regions which are below sound velocity of the aerogel. These results will be applied to estimate the impact conditions of solid particles that actually impact onto the aerogel at hypervelocity in space.