Characterization of dust impact spots on various materials

Understanding the interaction between dust grains and spacecraft materials is crucial for spacecraft dust observations. This study focuses on the characterization of hypervelocity space dust impact spots on a variety of materials commonly used in spacecraft construction. Utilizing laboratory-based experiments, we investigate the spots created by hypervelocity impacts.

Experimental setups involve subjecting different materials, including polymers, metals, and composites, to controlled impacts by accelerated micro-sized dust particles. We employ advanced imaging techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), to analyze impact spots at micro and nanoscales. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) is employed to assess compositional changes induced by impact events.

Preliminary results reveal unique impact signatures on diverse materials, showcasing variations in crater morphology, size distribution, and material response. The identification of surface modifications, including fractures, melting, and the formation of ejecta, provides valuable insights into the underlying physics of hypervelocity impacts on different materials. We attempt to extend our observations towards the ejecta creation efficency by various materials.