The use of hypervelocity launchers to explore previously inaccessible states of matter

The dynamic response of materials at very high pressure and temperature is important in a wide variety of scientific and programmatic applications. Thermodynamic regions of interest include the high-pressure response of condensed phases and the highly expanded states of materials. Since these regimes are normally studied with flat-plate impact techniques, it is necessary that projectile velocities achievable with highvelocity launchers be sufficient to access the desired thermodynamic regions. In this paper, we discuss the equation-of-state regions that would be accessible with a plate impact capability of 15 km/s and summarize the status of a hypervelocity launcher under development which will provide the required velocity capability.