Highlights • The influence of anchoring parameters on anchoring performance is investigated based on discrete element method. • The anchor configurations affect the bearing area and influence the anchoring force. • The anchoring force shows a quadratic polynomial increasing trend with the asteroid soil strength increasing. • The external force direction affects the anchoring force by changing the movement trend of the anchor in the particles.

Abstract Asteroid exploration has become a research hotspot, and anchoring probes to asteroids is essential for in situ scientific detections. The influence of ultrasonic drilling force-closure anchoring parameters on the anchoring performance and its influence mechanism are studied based on discrete element simulation. An anchoring simulation model is established after calibrating virtual asteroid soil, and its validity is verified by anchoring experiments. Discrete element simulations are performed to study the effect of cross-sectional shape and longitudinal cross-sectional shape of anchoring rods on anchoring force. The internal influence mechanism of anchor configurations on the anchoring force is analyzed by extracting the number of stressed particles in the simulation area. The anchoring force has a positive correlation with the cross-sectional area. The rotation of non-circular anchors causes fluctuations in the anchoring force. The effect of the anchored material strength on the anchoring force is studied with the calibrated virtual asteroid soil. The relationship between anchoring force and anchoring parameters is studied, and the optimal anchoring angle is 54° for anchored material strength of 100 kPa. Finally, the variation of the anchoring force with the direction of external force is studied. This work can guide the anchor configuration design and the anchoring condition parameter optimization.