Particle shape and size predict asteroid strength, revealing Bennu's surface is 50 times weaker than ground coffee

Researchers have published a study in *Nature Communications* introducing a universal scaling framework to determine the mechanical strength of granular asteroids. The findings reveal that the tensile strength of these rubble-pile bodies can be reliably predicted by analyzing the size and shape of their constituent particles, establishing a consistent relationship between microscopic material properties and macroscopic structural integrity. This approach provides a standardized method for assessing the cohesion