A novel facility for reduced-gravity testing: A setup for studying low-velocity collisions into granular surfaces

Area of Science:

• Planetary Science
• Physics
• Engineering

Background:

• Studying impacts on granular surfaces is crucial for understanding planetary surface evolution.
• Previous research often lacked controlled low-gravity conditions, limiting applicability to extraterrestrial environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and validate an experimental apparatus for simulating low-velocity projectile impacts on granular surfaces under reduced gravity.
• To enable quantitative analysis of impact dynamics in a simulated low-gravity environment.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 5.5 m drop tower to simulate reduced gravity via an Atwood machine (pulleys and counterweights).
• Developed custom components including a free-falling projectile, surface container, release, and deceleration systems.
• Employed accelerometers and high-speed cameras for comprehensive data acquisition during collisions.

Main Results:

• Successfully simulated reduced gravity with controlled downward acceleration (∼0.1 to 1.0 m/s²).
• Accommodated variable collision velocities up to 20 cm/s.
• Calibration tests confirmed the efficiency of the deceleration system and Atwood machine performance.

Conclusions:

• The developed experimental design provides a robust platform for studying granular impacts in low-gravity.
• This setup facilitates future research into impact processes relevant to asteroid, comet, and planetary body surface modifications.