Abstract

Utilizing a large two-stage light gas gun and a large pendulum assembly, experiments were performed to measure the momentum enhancement (or increase in momentum transfer due to the ejecta) of an ARMCO iron target, two large hematite rock targets, a target of stones held by concrete, and a concrete block target. The choice of iron and iron rich materials was motivated by interest in the asteroid Psyche and the planned upcoming mission. The target comprised of a collection of stones, to mimic a rubble pile asteroid, was to provide insight into the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) impact. The role of impactor size is important, and these tests were performed at a large scale, with 3-cm-diameter aluminum spheres as the impactor. Save for the concrete block, these impacts were in the vicinity of 5 km/s. There is a distinct difference in the amount of momentum enhancement (measured by β) that occurs with ductile metals vs. brittle materials and this fact shows in these impacts. The momentum enhancement with a relatively brittle aluminum falls in between the two extremes of rock and iron. Computations were performed to compare with the ARMCO iron impacts. Data at a large scale is desirable to quantify momentum enhancement in the context of hypervelocity impactors deflecting celestial bodies such as asteroids or comet nuclei.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call