Asteroid Shields are OP

I fire the world's fastest gun to test the next generation of spacecraft shields.

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0:00 Introduction
0:41 Meteorite vs Space Station
1:45 Inside the Hypervelocity Impact Lab
2:44 So how does it work?
5:21 Fire!
6:36 How to survive an asteroid
9:33 Conclusion
10:03 Captain Sail-Out

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Hi, I'm James. I explore the world looking for interesting engineering stories which explore complex issues in interesting ways. I hold a First-Class Honors in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Western Australia and am currently studying a Masters of Space Systems Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

[ShaunCheah]

It's a bit counterintuitive, but I like how the solution seems not to be some new exotic material but rather just a clever combination of guardian angles.

[dancoroian]

That "honeycomb" shield is such a cool idea, and a beautiful illustration of Newton's 3rd law. Like... no, we can't just *stop* the projectile; but there's no reason we can't cleverly (and destructively -- but strategically so, akin to crumple zones on modern car bumpers) redirect its energy back on itself and away from the goods!

[AtomicFrontier]

Of course Texas has an asteroid-gun-of-doom! Now that I think of it, it would be more surprising for them not to have one!

[panakon]

The stracture shown in 9:10 is the lattice stracture of Euplectella aspergillum, a deep sea sponge. What is remarkable about it is that it is the optimal lattice stracture that results in the strongest form given a specific weight.

[playgroundchooser]

I don't know what is cooler, the fact that the testing resulted in an ability to cause the impactor to flip a U turn, or that their death gun is pointed at UT's stadium. 🤣

[screwaccountnames]

I'd love to see the Slow-Mo Guys collab with that testing facility as well.

[obviouspseudonym]

As an Austinite, I love the casual threat of asteroids coming from A&M...

[AlphaPhoenixChannel]

Oh man I don't know what I'd do with it, but I want one...

[doggonemess]

5:30 Dude in the back of the room didn't even flinch. He's the steely-eye missile man of the group.

[douglasboyle]

I don't know what's more impressive, the gun was able to shoot a projectile hard enough to turn it into a "shooting star" or the slowmo footage of it.

[itsevilbert]

5:40 to put that 63394 joules of energy into perspective, penetration of human skin requires about 80 joules (to penetrate bone it is only about 28 joules). Lower density mostly water based flesh protects bones.

[HydrantRooster]

Your content really has an incredible consistency of quality. I look forward to every one of your videos!
Also, I found the easter egg. I know I should have seen it coming, but you got me. :)

[RhodianColossus]

love the "Come And Take It" decal on the gun, very Texas in a light hearted way for once

[jimk]

You’re missing something. Holding a vacuum on the target side of the gun also greatly increases the projectile speed since there is no gas pressure buildup in the barrel between the projectile and target.

[Thebreakdownshow]

I love the content you are going to go to millions of subscribers soon. AS a creator I am always learning from you.

[ColinHuth]

Though excellent all around, I especially love the easter eggs James inserts. Even with serious subject matter that personality is always there.

[Litl_E]

I was so not expecting my college to show up in a video! I saw the academic building in the intro, and as soon as you said "Texas A&M University" I almost jumped out of my seat lol. Gig 'em, Aggies!

[andrewchapman]

If they didn't have test footage I'd never believe it worked so well! It's such a simple idea, elegant in its execution, and ripe for further innovations. With all that internal space, setting up systems to detect exactly where impacts occur and how much energy they carry is almost trivial!

[virutech]

Awesome video. Micrometeorite impacts are going to be one of the most critical aspects of future space operations. whether it's armoring our satellites this century or going to another star half a millenia from now

[JamesIsShort]

A space station's windows being cracked by microscopic space debris is the most terrifying thing I've ever heard