Possibility of Exprolation of Asteroidal Internal Structure by Using Elastic Waves

Abstract

To apply for possible asteroid interior exploration in the future, this study aims to better understand basic physical property of granular materials such as space exposed regolith regarding elastic waves. We have discovered speed of sound in regolith simulants made of glass bead is independent on porosity but dependent on grain size in the 40 - 220 micrometers range. Although actual cases are more complexed, these results suggest the possibility of using velocity measurement of elastic wave of to investigate regolith size on asteroidal surfaces.