Development of Equipment to Estimate Momentum Shift in NEO Orbit Change by a Spacecraft Impact

For assessing the NEO orbit change by spacecraft impact, it is necessary to clarify the momentum shift at the impact time. Momentum shift is various amounts depending on the material of projectile and target, their shapes, and impact velocity. Currently, we have to collect more impact data by performing a simulated impact test on the earth because we do not have enough data to discuss design of a spacecraft impacter. Generally speaking, momentum shift is described at β (= about 1 ∼ 10 in other institution's impact tests). We aim to get more efficient momentum shift by creating experimental conditions in which β is larger than 10. In this study, we developed a test equipment of pendulum type for measuring β, and performed impact tests after calibration of the pendulum equipment.