APSIS — Aerogel position-sensitive impact sensor: Capabilities for in-situ collection and sample return

The capabilities of combining Aerogel (A) as a passive target and position-sensitive impact sensing (PSIS) are examined; experimental performance factors are established from tests on Hypervelocity Impact Facilities at the University of Kent and previous space deployment. Results of system requirements analysis favour the deployment of large area detectors. Analysis of the in-flight impact sensor signals yields the position, time and exposure pointing direction of the tracks containing the impactor residues, which are analysed after retrieval.