Observations from the Hubble Space Telescope provided crucial data on the ejecta-debris generated by Dimorphos, which will aid in developing future asteroid deflection strategies.

Recent studies conducted by Politecnico di Milano and Georgia Tech, published in *Nature Communications*, analyzed ejecta particle dynamics, including their mass, velocity, and interactions with solar radiation pressure that affect their trajectories.

A notable finding from the research indicated that the shape of the asteroid significantly influences ejecta behavior, with Dimorphos' rounded surface resulting in a 56% reduction in momentum shift compared to a flat surface model.

The studies revealed that while larger impactors generate more ejecta, they may not effectively translate into greater deflection due to the influence of the asteroid's shape.

The research suggests that deploying multiple smaller impactors could enhance deflection efficiency and reduce costs, presenting a more viable strategy for asteroid mitigation.

Understanding ejecta behavior is crucial for developing effective asteroid mitigation strategies, as emphasized by both Professor Fabio Ferrari and Professor Masatoshi Hirabayashi, who led the respective studies.

Professor Fabio Ferrari led the study at Politecnico di Milano, while Professor Masatoshi Hirabayashi coordinated the research at Georgia Tech, collaborating to advance our understanding of asteroid deflection techniques.

The DART mission successfully impacted the asteroid Dimorphos on September 26, 2022, marking a significant milestone as the first real-world test of planetary defense methods.