Hypervelocity

In particular, hypervelocity is velocity so high that the strength of materials upon impact is very small compared to inertial stresses.

Hypervelocity usually occurs during meteor showers and deep space reentries, as carried out during the Zond, Apollo and Luna programs.

The vaporization upon impact and liquification of surfaces allow metal projectiles formed under hypervelocity forces to penetrate vehicle armor better than conventional bullets.

At RHTL, micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) impacts are simulated on spacecraft components and shields allowing designers to test threats posed by the growing orbital debris environment and evolve shield technology to stay one step ahead.

At RHTL, four two-stage light-gas guns propel 0.05 to 22.2 mm (0.0020 to 0.8740 in) diameter projectiles to velocities as fast as 8.5 km/s (5.3 mi/s).

The "energy flash" of a hypervelocity impact during a laboratory simulation of what happens when a piece of orbital debris hits a spacecraft in orbit
The aftermath of a hypervelocity impact, with a projectile the same size as the one that impacted for scale