Ejecta plume observability from an asteroid small impactor mission

A new image simulator model is developed for small impacts on an asteroid’s surface from cameras onboard probes. Observing the ejecta dust following the impact enables the body’s physical characteristics examination. The model’s potential is demonstrated by a comparison with actual photographs of the Hayabusa2 impact and the simulated ones in terms of dust position and magnitude. To achieve the object, the model implements the characteristics of the camera used in the Hayabusa2 mission from the same location as the real camera in the impact instant. The results show a very good match between the real and simulated images, proving that the model can be useful for testing the performance of present and future cameras for ejecta dust observation. In addition, the possibility of using a lander for the same purpose at a safe distance from the impact point is being investigated to understand its utility and efficiency.