Asteroids: study object in the CRADLE project

The CRADLE project, of which the Politecnico di Milano is coordinator. The aim is to explore the asteroids with new solutions for collecting dust samples from asteroids and comets. CRADLE aims to deepen human knowledge about asteroids by revealing the composition and processes of their dust.

This is because comets and asteroids reveal important information about the birth and evolution of the solar system. They have as many valuable resources as silicates, water and metals to be exploited with future long-term missions for their extraction. However, the composition of asteroids is varied and little known, which is why it needs to be researched. The project explores new concepts by studying the collection of particles while they are still in orbit without landing. Particles can be created by hitting the asteroid with a small but fast bullet. After being hit, the asteroid ejects particles with peculiarities, depending on the impact and the properties of the target.

It is a complex process for which we use statistical models, also integrating the images of the impact event and the impact site. The collection of particles in orbit is based on the prediction of the positions of the particles after impact; therefore it is of utmost importance to improve the robustness of impact analysis in combination with statistical analysis methods. Collecting in orbit also means understanding where to place the spacecraft around the asteroid and what type of collection tool it should be equipped with.

Mirko Trisolini, researcher for the COMPASS group of the Department of Aerospace Sciences and Technologies of the Politecnico di Milano

In practice, CRADLE studies the movement of particles around the asteroid to predict which regions are most likely to harvest. He then estimates the number of particles. A way to understand the correct size of the tool to be used for the collection.