The SPHIR facility houses a two-stage light gas gun with over a dozen observation ports for extensive diagnostics implementation. The gas gun is capable of reaching velocities between 0.5 - 10 km/s, and can test any potential target material and geometry at any angle of impact. Launch packages can range from approximately 0.25 - 2.5 mm in diameter and 5 - 500 mg in weight, depending on density and shape. What makes SPHIR stand out from related gas gun facilities like NASA Ames or Johnson is that it has the capability of achieving higher velocities, producing multiple impacts per test run, and does so with drastically reduced turnaround times.

Below: view movie of Small-Particle Hypervelocity Impact Range