TL;DR: Kleopatra is a metallic asteroid with a distinctive dog-bone shape, likely the result of a violent glancing collision. It has two small moons (Alexhelios and Cleoselene). Its M-type composition makes
Kleopatra is a metallic asteroid with a distinctive dog-bone shape, likely the result of a violent glancing collision. It has two small moons (Alexhelios and Cleoselene). Its M-type composition makes it a secondary target for metal mining after Psyche.
Diameter Km
217 (elongated)
Composition
Iron-nickel metal; unusual elongated shape; two small moons
Orbit
2.91 AU (main belt), period 4.67 years
Mining Potential
High - metallic composition similar to Psyche; unusual shape suggests violent formation history
Mission
No dedicated mission; studied by Arecibo and VLT