Compressive strength of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko derived from Philae surface contacts

¹ Institut für Geophysik und extraterrestrische Physik (IGEP), Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstr. 3, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
e-mail: p.heinisch@tu-bs.de
² Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung, Justus-von- Liebig-Weg, 3, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
³ Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Linder Höhe 1, 51147 Köln, Germany

Received: 17 July 2018
Accepted: 7 November 2018

Abstract

Context. The landing and rebound of the Philae lander, which was part of the ESA Rosetta mission, enabled us to study the mechanical properties of the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, because we could use Philae as an impact probe.

Aims. The aim is to approximate the descent and rebound trajectory of the Philae lander and use this information to derive the compressive strength of the surface material from the different surface contacts and scratches created during the final touchdown. Combined with laboratory measurements, this can give an insight into what comets are made of and how they formed.

Methods. We combined observations from the ROMAP magnetometer on board Philae with observations made by the Rosetta spacecraft, particularly by the OSIRIS camera system and the RPC-MAG magnetometer. Additionally, ballistic trajectory and collision modeling was performed. These results are placed in context using laboratory measurements of the compressibility of different materials.

Results. It was possible to reconstruct possible trajectories of Philae and determine that a pressure of ~100 Pa is enough to compress the surface material up to a depth of ~20 cm. Considering all errors, the derived compressive strength shows little dependence on location, with an overall upper limit for the surface compressive strength of ~800 Pa.