A Simulation Platform for Small Solar System Bodies using the Einstein-Elevator
E. Tahtali, C. Kreuzig, G. Meier, J. Blum, L. Overmeyer, C. Lotz
TL;DR
The paper presents AKUS, an Earth-based platform integrating the Einstein-Elevator to simulate small solar system body gravities ($10^{-2}$ to $10^{-4}$ g) within a vacuum chamber. It details a two-drive-train acceleration system with spindle axes and flywheels, supported by a TwinCat GUI, to achieve controlled partial gravity while monitoring with cameras and sensors. Results demonstrate improved acceleration fidelity due to flywheels and validate the approach down to $10^{-3}$ g, with deviations near $ imes 10^{-4}$ g, and highlight challenges and future directions for stabilization and vacuum integration. This work offers a practical, repeatable, Earth-bound pathway for comet- and asteroid-relevant experiments, potentially enabling broader international collaboration and reducing dependence on costly space missions.
Abstract
Small solar system bodies are becoming increasingly important as missions like NASA's OSIRIS-REx show. However, the study of the characteristics and behavior of these objects on Earth is a challenge as the simulation of their environmental conditions is difficult. We present in this paper an approach to enable the simulation of SSSB conditions in a drop tower facility on Earth, which is being addressed as part of the AKUS ("Activity of Comets under Partial Gravity") project. This especially concerns their prevailing gravity levels, which range between 10^-2 g and 10^-4 g. In order to simulate the conditions of SSSB as accurately as possible, an acceleration system based on servo motors and spindle axes has been developed. The accelerations are transferred from the motors to the spindle axes containing a comet-like sample. These are together placed inside a vacuum chamber providing a vacuum quality of 10^-6 mbar. The whole setup is installed inside the Einstein-Elevator. Our results show that, with the current setup, we are able to generate conditions from 10^-2 g down to 10^-3 g. The maximum deviations under these conditions are +/-5x10^-4 g. Additionally, this setup offers the opportunity to conduct different kinds of experiments in which the described gravity levels and vacuum conditions are needed.