Asteroid Regolith Strength Modelling Informed by Bennu Sample Measurements

Informed by findings about the sample from asteroid Bennu, we apply a new simulation methodology to better understand how Van der Waals (VdW) forces work between spherical and non-spherical particles. Then we find a theoretical model that relates particle size and shape, as well as porosity and connectivity to the tensile strength of a self-gravitating aggregate and apply the model to calculate the strength of the surface of asteroid Bennu based on the experimentally measured value of particle-particle cohesion.