Momentum Enhancement during Kinetic Impacts in the Low-intermediate-strength Regime: Benchmarking and Validation of Impact Shock Physics Codes

Abstract In 2022 September, the DART spacecraft (NASA’s contribution to Asteroid Impact & Deflection Assessment (AIDA) collaboration) will impact asteroid Dimorphos, secondary in Didymos system. The crater formation and material ejection affect orbital period. 2027, Hera (ESA’s AIDA) investigate system, observe caused by DART, characterize Dimorphos. Before Hera’s arrival, target properties not be well-constrained. relationships between observed change specific are unique, but observations add additional constraints for analysis of event, which narrow range feasible properties. this study, we use three different shock physics codes simulate momentum transfer from impactor agreement results well-defined materials. contrast previous studies, care is taken consistent crushing behavior (e.g., distension as a function pressure) given porosity all codes. First, validate against experiments into regolith simulant. Second, benchmark at scale parameters (10%–50% porosity, 1.4–100 kPa cohesion). Aligning improves consistency derived enhancement within +/−5% most materials used. Based on mass–velocity distributions codes, derive scaling that can used studies ejecta curtain.