Twinkle is an upcoming 0.45m space-based telescope equipped with a visible and two near-infrared spectrometers covering the spectral range 0.4 to 4.5{ \mu}m with a resolving power R~250 ({ \lambda}<2.42{ \mu}m) and R~60 ({ \lambda}>2.42{ \mu}m). We explore Twinkle's capabilities for small bodies science and find that, given Twinkle's sensitivity, pointing stability, and spectral range, the mission can observe a large number of small bodies. The sensitivity of Twinkle is calculated and compared to the flux from an object of a given visible magnitude. The number, and brightness, of asteroids and comets that enter Twinkle's field of regard is studied over three time periods of up to a decade. We find that, over a decade, several thousand asteroids enter Twinkle's field of regard with a brightness and non-sidereal rate that will allow Twinkle to characterise them at the instrumentation's native resolution with SNR > 100. Hundreds of comets can also be observed. Therefore, Twinkle offers researchers the opportunity to contribute significantly to the field of Solar System small bodies research.
Categories: astro-ph.EP astro-ph.IM