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Benchmarking iSALE and CTH shock physics codes to in situ high-velocity impact experiments into Fe-Ni targets
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  • Amanda Alexander,
  • Simone Marchi,
  • Sidney Chocron,
  • James Walker
Amanda Alexander
Southwest Research Institute

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Simone Marchi
Southwest Research Institute
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Sidney Chocron
Southwest Research Institute
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James Walker
Southwest Research Institute
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Abstract

Cratering is a prominent evolutionary process on asteroids. Crater morphologies, regolith generation, bulk fracturing and projectile implantation are all examples of asteroidal surface evolution resulting from impact processes. With the upcoming launch of the Psyche mission in 2022, followed by the spacecraft’s arrival at the 225-km presumed metal-rich asteroid, characterizing impact processes on relevant metal bodies is key for interpreting mission data. Small-scale impact experiments into metals (e.g., iron, aluminum, copper, steel) have shown that crater morphologies into these materials are different than rocky targets — exhibiting notable distinctive features such as raised, sharp rims, and deeper cavities. While several impact codes have been used to simulate and benchmark laboratory scale impacts on rocky targets, it has not yet been shown how well these codes match observed crater shapes in Fe-Ni materials which may constitute the metallic component of Psyche. Here we have used iSALE and CTH shock physics codes to simulate and compare with the observed experimental crater morphologies in Fe-Ni targets. It was found that, when using material strength parameters directly measured in laboratory mechanical tests, at low and high strain-rates and relevant temperatures, it is possible to closely match crater diameters and depths from the impact tests.