2016/01/06 by S. R. Schwartz, Stephen R. Schwartz, Yang Yu +2 · 13 citations
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Aerospace engineering #Astro and Planetary Science #Astronomy #Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies #Classical mechanics #Component (thermodynamics) #Computer science #Deflection (physics) #Ejecta #Geometry #Mathematics #Mechanics #Physics #Planetary Science and Exploration #Projectile #Scaling #Scaling law #Smoothed-particle hydrodynamics #Spacecraft #astro-ph.EP
paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.asr.2015.12.042
published in Advances in Space Research 57(8), 1832-1846 (Elsevier BV) · 19 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in Advances in Space Research, Special Issue: Asteroids & Space Debris
openalex publication_date 2016/01/06 · arxiv created 2016/01/22 · arxiv updated 2016/01/25 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
We define a set of procedures to numerically study the fate of ejecta produced by the impact of an artificial projectile with the aim of deflecting an asteroid. Here we develop a simplified, idealized model of impact conditions that can be adapted to fit the details of specific deflection-test scenarios, such as what is being proposed for the AIDA project. Ongoing studies based upon the methodology described here can be used to inform observational strategies and safety conditions for an observing spacecraft. To account for ejecta evolution, the numerical strategies we are employing are varied and include a large N-Body component, a smoothed-particle hydrodynamics (SPH) component, and an application of impactor scaling laws. Simulations that use SPH-derived initial conditions show high-speed ejecta escaping at low angles of inclination, and very slowly moving ejecta lofting off the surface at higher inclination angles, some of which re-impacts the small-body surface. We are currently investigating the realism of this and other models' behaviors. Next steps will include the addition of solar perturbations to the model and applying the protocol developed here directly to specific potential mission concepts such as the proposed AIDA scenario.