{"id":89,"date":"2026-09-16T11:22:06","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T10:22:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/physical-sciences\/?page_id=89"},"modified":"2026-09-16T14:37:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T13:37:14","slug":"all-axis-light-gas-gun","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/physical-sciences\/research\/facilities\/hvi-spe-laboratories\/all-axis-light-gas-gun\/","title":{"rendered":"All-Axis Light Gas Gun"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"593\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/physical-sciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/image-9.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-115\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/physical-sciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/image-9.png 593w, https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/physical-sciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/image-9-300x152.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 593px) 100vw, 593px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>All-Axis Light Gas Gun (AALGG)<\/strong> at the Open University simulates the extreme shock temperatures and pressures experienced during hypervelocity impact processing, vertically and horizontally and any angle in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Facility Description<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The All-Axis Light Gas Gun is a two-stage light gas gun, capable of firing 50 \u03bcm &#8211;&nbsp;3 mm projectiles (spheres, cylinders or buckshot powders) at velocities up to ~6.0 km\/s. Its unique capability of rotating between horizontal and vertical allows for the flexible option of two different target chambers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>small target chamber<\/strong> can accommodate targets up to ~19 cm in radial diameter, for impacts horizontally, vertically, and intermediate angles by tilting the target.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>larger target chamber<\/strong>, for vertical firing only, can accommodate targets up to ~80 cm in diameter, along with supporting fixtures and equipment, ideal for testing whole systems or spacecraft assembly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"252\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/physical-sciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/image-10.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-117\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/physical-sciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/image-10.png 400w, https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/physical-sciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/image-10-300x189.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr Zoe Emerland rotating the AALGG between horizontal and vertical orientation to demonstrate vertical momentum transfer experiments in preparation for missions <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/dart\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DART<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.esa.int\/Space_Safety\/Hera\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERA<\/a><br><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Instrumentation includes:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Projectile time of flight systems for velocity measurement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High-speed cameras (Photron &amp; Phantom) for recording projectile flight or impact processing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CAVILUX HF 640 Laser system for optimising schlieren and shadowgraphy and imaging impact flashes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High-speed pyrometer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Head-space gas sampling.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Portholes for target viewing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feedthroughs for target cryogenic cooling, heating, electronic connections (e.g., BNC and DB), and any others desirable by the client.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"325\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/physical-sciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/image-11.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-118\" srcset=\"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/physical-sciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/image-11.png 400w, https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/physical-sciences\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/09\/image-11-300x244.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">High Speed Camera frames of a 2 mm stainless steel projectile impacting a target at 3.5 km\/s<br><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The gun range is pumped down to ~0.2 mbar prior to firing to achieve the highest velocities, although firing at higher atmospheric pressures is possible.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The number of shots we can complete in one working day (and therefore the cost of using the instrument) will vary depending on the velocity, inclination of firing, projectile size and composition, specific firing conditions, misfires, pre- and post-firing cleaning and target preparation and processing. <strong>For standard horizontal shots we recommend planning for 1 successful shot per day on average.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have any queries about costings, testing conditions or capabilities, do not hesitate to <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/e\/Cx6PMWYxUG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Contact us<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Specification summary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td>Projectile Diameter<\/td><td>50 \u00b5m &#8211; 3 mm<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Projectile Velocity<\/td><td>300 m\/s &#8211; 6 km\/s (depends on projectile properties)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Target Diameter<\/td><td>up to ~80 cm<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Rotating the AALGG at the Open University\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5ELlnvDSnAE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Vertical impact into regolith\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ysFrs4bCBD4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Potential uses and applications of our powerful tool include:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Micrometeoroid and Orbital debris (MMOD) Testing<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Testing spacecraft, satellite and aerospace components and payload qualification &#8211; assessing vulnerabilities, durability and functionality<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Whipple shield testing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Impact sensor detection and analysis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Projectile survival, deformation and recovery<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Space debris ejecta generation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Planetary Science<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Impact cratering research &#8211; ground truthing and validation of numerical hydrocode models, fieldwork and remote sensing observations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Investigating planetary compositions &#8211; how can impacts inform about the composition and structure of a planetary surface and subsurfaces, and layering?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chemical and physical modification of planetary surfaces from shock processing &#8211; using real or analogue materials<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regolith generation and ejection &amp; space weathering &#8211; vertical impacts into loosely consolidated regolith-like materials<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Meteorite studies &#8211; shock processing validation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Icy moon studies &#8211; investigate how impacts vary on icy surfaces, such as the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Planetary Defense<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Momentum transfer studies for asteroid re-direction &#8211; for missions such as <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/dart\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DART<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.esa.int\/Space_Safety\/Hera\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERA<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Astrobiology<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lithopanspermia &#8211; investigate how biosignatures can be transported between planetary bodies, e.g., Earth to the Moon; Mars to Phobos; Earth to Mars etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Generation of conditions conducive to the development of life<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Modification of biosignatures by shock processing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Material Science &amp; Engineering<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Thermal &amp; structural responses to extreme stress &#8211; impact-induced phase transitions and fracture mechanics &#8211; ices, glasses, metals, composites, layered materials, liquids, gels, natural and synthetic fibres &#8211; you name it, we can probably test it!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Armour, shielding and penetration testing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spallation studies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Product development &#8211; design of new materials for extreme environments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shock wave propogation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Equation of state studies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Earth Hazard Simulation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Impacts of asteroids, comets or space debris into Earth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nuclear waste storage safety &#8211; test resilience of storage containers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Recent Projects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/university.open.ac.uk\/science\/physical-science\/sites\/www.open.ac.uk.science.physical-science\/files\/IMG-20260213-WA0013.jpg\" alt=\"Zoe explaining how the AALGG works to University of Southampton Undergraduate students.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Zoe explaining how the AALGG works to University of Southampton Undergraduate students.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>ODIN Space Service contract<\/strong> &#8211; continuing the ongoing relationship with ODIN Space to continue to test their impact sesnors to fine tune their technology to detect and measure the size, speed and trajectory of space debris as small as 0.1 mm in LEO and GEO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>University of Southampton PDRAs and Undergraduate students<\/strong> &#8211; conducted several LGG shots during 2025 and 2026 to test the damage caused by steel powder (representing micron-sized space debris) impacting aluminium and magnesium alloy targets at 4 km\/s. Experiments so far have been fascinating and have led to an ongoing collaboration with Dr Dikai Guan&#8217;s research group in Southampton. More experiments are planned&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2025<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/university.open.ac.uk\/science\/physical-science\/sites\/www.open.ac.uk.science.physical-science\/files\/images\/20250414_151129.jpg\" alt=\"Student Finlay Price positioning his target within the AALGG small chamber\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Student Finlay Price positioning his target within the AALGG small chamber<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cranfield University MEng student Chandrajith<\/strong> &#8211; aims to develop a test plan, including a hypervelocity impact campaign, for vibroacoustic sensors integrated into representative avionics with spacecraft representative plates for MMOD research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cranfield University MEng student Santiago<\/strong> &#8211; After conducting UV, low temperature and vacuum exposure experiments within the <a href=\"https:\/\/university.open.ac.uk\/science\/physical-science\/facilities\/hvi-spe-laboratories\/baldrick-large-clean-circular-chamber\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Baldrick Chamber<\/a> of different spacecraft materials to simulate conditions representative of the Deep Space Gateway, will investigate the material degradation and changes in reisilience against hypervelocity impact damage using the All-Axis Light Gas Gun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/university.open.ac.uk\/science\/physical-science\/sites\/www.open.ac.uk.science.physical-science\/files\/images\/20250509_150228_square.jpg\" alt=\"Student Kayleigh Moore standing in front of the All-Axis Light Gas Gun holding up one of her composite shield targets following a hypervelocity impact test.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Student Kayleigh Moore holding a composite shield target post-hypervelocity impact test.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>University of Edinburgh PhD student Kayleigh Moore<\/strong> &#8211; Horizontal hypervelocity impact tests of impedence-graded composite shields with 1-2 mm stainless steel projectiles at ~5 km\/s to validate her numerical simulations of shields to protect spacecraft from MMOD impacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>University of Sheffield MEng student Finlay Price<\/strong> &#8211; Hypervelocity impact tests of new 3D printed whipple sheilds with 1 mm stainless steel projectiles at ~5.3 km\/s at 90 and 45 degree angles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>ODIN Space Service contract<\/strong> &#8211; vertical hypervelocity space debris impact tests of their next generation of impact sesnors to fine tune their technology to detect and measure the size, speed and trajectory of space debris as small as 0.1 mm in LEO and GEO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2024<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/university.open.ac.uk\/science\/physical-science\/sites\/www.open.ac.uk.science.physical-science\/files\/images\/GR_icetarget1.png\" alt=\"Image showing the surface of ice after impact by buckshot dust projectiles. Circles highlight impact points.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Grace Richards&#8217; Enceladus-like ice target post-impact with highlighted impact sites.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Open University PhD student Amy Dugdale<\/strong> &#8211; Amy conducted vertical hypervelocity impact experiments investigating the <a href=\"https:\/\/oro.open.ac.uk\/104173\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Impact Modification of Minerals and Biomarkers at Oxia Planum, Mars<\/a>, using a bespoke Oxia Planum simulant design <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0019103523001458\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SOPHIA<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Open University PhD student Grace Richards<\/strong> &#8211; Grace conducted horizontal hypervelocity impact experiments investigating the composition of volatiles released from Enceladus-like ice targets during buckshot E-ring grain impact processes, measuring the headspace of the target chamber using Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry. See their thesis for further information &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/oro.open.ac.uk\/101090\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The feasibility of in situ volatile analysis to investigate space weathering on Enceladus\u2019 surface<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2023<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/university.open.ac.uk\/science\/physical-science\/sites\/www.open.ac.uk.science.physical-science\/files\/images\/ZE_projectile_impact1.png\" alt=\"Left omage of Phobos regolith simulant post-impact showing a large single crater. Right image of cylindrical Mars-like projectile including biosignatures.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Left: Phobos regolith simulant post-impact showing a large single crater. Right: Cylindrical Mars-like projectile including biosignatures.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Open University PhD student Zoe Emerland<\/strong> &#8211; Zoe investigated the survival of biosingatures being impact-transported from Mars to its moon Phobos by conducting vertical impact experiments firing bespoke Mars-like projectiles, including biosignatures, into a Phobos regolith simulant. See their thesis for further information <a href=\"https:\/\/oro.open.ac.uk\/94764\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">An Experimental and Numerical Assessment of Ejected Martian Biosignatures Impacting Phobos<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Comet Interceptor &#8211; DISC functionality tests<\/strong> &#8211; Comet Interceptor, the European Space Agency mission, will conduct fast flybys through a comet coma and endure hypervelocity impacts with dust particles. Using the All-Axis Light Gas Gun the mission team tested the dust shield of the Dust Impact Sensor and Counter instrument (DISC) with mm-sized projectiles at ~5km\/s. Check out their recent publications for more information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/university.open.ac.uk\/science\/physical-science\/sites\/www.open.ac.uk.science.physical-science\/files\/images\/CometInterceptor_DellaCorte_Fig5.jpg\" alt=\"Image showing multiple DISC targets post-impact with aerogel\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fig.5 from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0734743X24002719?via%3Dihub\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Della Corte et al. 2025<\/a>: DISC breadboard #1 after the impact of (in order): a 1 mm stainless steel sphere at 4.5 km\/s (sensing plate (a), aerogel blocks (b), dust shield frame (c)); fragments of a 3 mm nylon sphere at 6 km\/s (sensing plate (d), aerogel (e)); a 3 mm nylon sphere at 5.5 km\/s (sensing plate (f), aerogel (g), dust shield frame (h)).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Piccirillo et al. 2025 <a href=\"https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com\/sol3\/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4779294\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8220;A Light Dust Shield, Including Aerogel, for Space Applications: The Study Case for Disc \u2013 Part of the Payload Selected for the Esa\/Comet Interceptor Space Mission&#8221;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Piccirillo et al. 2025 <a href=\"https:\/\/link-springer-com.libezproxy.open.ac.uk\/article\/10.1007\/s12567-025-00627-6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8220;A light dust shield, including aerogel, for DISC instrument on board ESA&#8217;s Comet Interceptor mission: numerical simulations and Ballistic Limit Equation&#8221;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Della Corte et al. 2025 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0734743X24002719?via%3Dihub\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8220;Performance assessment of an innovative light and compact dust shield for DISC onboard Comet Interceptor\/ESA space probes&#8221;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Della Corte et al. 2023 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0273117723000893\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8220;DISC &#8211; the dust impact sensor and counter on-board Comet Interceptor: Characterization of the dust coma of a dynamically new comet&#8221;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>ESA Sterilization limits (SterLim) for sample return planetary protection measures study<\/strong> &#8211; Evaulated the probability of collecting unsterilized martian material from the surface of Phobos with a sample return mission (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmx.jaxa.jp\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Martian Moons eXploration<\/a>), that had been impact-transported from Mars to Phobos. They conducted vertical impact experiments with basaltic core projectiles (representing Mars) into a Phobos regolith simulant. See their paper for further information &#8211; Patel et al., 2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2214552419300409\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8220;The transfer of unsterilized material from Mars to Phobos: Laboratory tests, modelling and statistical evaluation&#8221;<\/a>. See also right video above for one of their impact experiments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The All-Axis Light Gas Gun (AALGG) at the Open University simulates the extreme shock temperatures and pressures experienced during hypervelocity impact processing, vertically and horizontally and any angle in between. Facility Description The All-Axis Light Gas Gun is a two-stage light gas gun, capable of firing 50 \u03bcm &#8211;&nbsp;3 mm projectiles (spheres, cylinders or buckshot [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"parent":83,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_unity_review_frequency":"","_unity_review_next_due":0,"_unity_review_reset_requested":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-89","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/physical-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/89","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/physical-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/physical-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/physical-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/physical-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=89"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/physical-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/89\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":119,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/physical-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/89\/revisions\/119"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/physical-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/83"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/physical-sciences\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=89"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}