Asteroid landing analysis for multi-node probe based on spring damping device

Abstract

Soft landing on the surface of an asteroid is a prerequisite for performing surface exploration. Due to the weakness of gravitational field, complex surface, and unknown soil properties of asteroids, a single probe may rebound from the surface with uncontrollable long-range tumbling during landing, leading to a deviation from its original landing site, as was the case with Rosetta's Philae lander. To overcome this issue, A multi-node probe (MNP) is developed, which consists of some small probes connected by spring damping devices. And two landing schemes of MNP are also proposed. Firstly, a dynamic model of MNP was established based on Hunt–Crossley damping theory to describe its landing process. After that, an evaluation function incorporating settling time, landing distance, and velocity increment was developed. The landing process was described with quantified values, which enabled the comparison of MNP landing under different initial conditions. Finally, simulations are performed on a flat surface using a three-node system. The results show that the MNP can complete the landing in a short time with few collisions and a small landing distance. The simulations under error conditions also prove the reliability of MNP. This provides a new solution for asteroid surface landing.