Determination of physical properties of a planetary surface by measuring the deceleration of a probe upon impact: Application to Titan

We report scale model laboratory experiments showing how an impact accelerometer on a planetary probe (based on the Huygens probe Phase A configuration) can provide significant information on the mechanical characteristics of the surface. In particular, solid and liquid surfaces can be discriminated. The density of liquids can in principle be determined from the peak deceleration, thereby providing a constraint on composition, although experimental uncertainties present challenges to the accuracy of this method.