Insights into Asteroid Surface Conditions from Spacecraft Observations, Meteorites, and Microgravity Experiments

摘要

Understanding granular materials on the surfaces of asteroids, known as regolith, has significance for science, exploration, and in situ resource utilization. A brief summary of the nature of asteroid regolith is presented. The discussion focuses on (1) observations from robotic spacecraft that have visited several asteroids and sent back a variety of data, (2) meteorites, which are samples of rock from the surfaces of asteroids, and (3) experiments performed on NASA's microgravity aircraft facility. It is concluded that the regolith on asteroids behaves as a fluid, and many operations with such materials, the behavior will be counter-intuitive.