Asteroid Evolution: Role of Geotechnical Properties

TL;DR

This paper reviews how geotechnical properties influence the formation, evolution, and disruption of granular asteroids, highlighting theoretical and numerical tools used by planetary scientists.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent research on the role of geotechnical properties in asteroid dynamics, integrating theoretical, numerical, and observational insights.

Findings

Geotechnical properties significantly affect asteroid stability and evolution

Numerical models help predict asteroid disruption scenarios

Comparison with observations validates theoretical approaches

Abstract

This paper presents a brief review and latest results of the work that has been carried out by the Planetary Science community in order to understand that role of the geotechnical properties of granular asteroids (commonly known as "rubble-pile" asteroids) in their formation, evolution and possible disruption. As such, we will touch in aspects of the theoretical and numerical tools that have been used with this objective and how the obtained results compare to the observed asteroids.