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This paper presents an experimental and theoretical investigation of the interaction between a thin blade penetrator and materials representative of what is expected for the outermost 20cm of a comet's nucleus. The blade dimensions investigated are thicknesses of 1, 1.5mm and 2mm, width of 120 to 184 mm, surface contact speeds of 0 to 15m/s, and penetration depth of up to 140mm. Earth snow is used...
The BiBlade sampling chain was developed for use in a potential Comet Surface Sample Return mission. Following prior versions of the sampling tool, a new tool was developed and validated to TRL 6. Sample acquisition testing was performed across a range of comet simulants and operational conditions. Tool operation was validated in a thermal-vacuum chamber. The end-to-end sampling chain was validated...
The BiBlade sampling chain has been developed for use in a potential Comet Surface Sample Return mission in a touch-and-go mission architecture. This paper describes the BiBlade sampling chain, an implementation of the system and experimental results. The system includes a BiBlade sampling tool, a robotic arm, a sample measurement system, a sample transfer system, and simulants.
This paper discusses the Fiberscope Sample Imaging (FiSI) system currently being developed for a potential robotic comet surface sample return mission. In this mission concept, the spacecraft would perform touch-and-go maneuver at a small body to collect a comet surface sample. Immediately after the sample is captured the FiSI would perform in situ verification of the comet sample. Sample volume would...
One of the most pressing current questions in space science is whether life has ever arisen anywhere else in the universe. Water is a critical prerequisite for all life-as-we-know-it, thus the possible exploration targets for extraterrestrial life are bodies that have or had copious liquid: Mars, Europa, and Enceladus. Due to the oxidizing nature of Mars' surface, as well as subsurface liquid water...
The 2011 Decadal Survey for planetary science released by the National Research Council of the National Academies identified Comet Surface Sample Return (CSSR) as one of five high priority potential New Frontiers-class missions in the next decade. The main objectives of the research described in this publication are: develop a concept for an end-to-end system for collecting and storing a comet sample...
A low mass Sample Acquisition Tool (SAT) has been developed that can be used autonomously to percussively core, fracture, and capture rock cores. The tool was developed as part of the Integrated Mars Sample Acquisition and Handling (IMSAH) architecture allowing for end to end sample capture and caching as it relates to the proposed Mars Sample Return (MSR) campaign. The key element of the tool design,...
Piezoelectric ultrasonic horn actuators are used in high power medical/surgical, automotive, food preparation, textile cutting, and material joining applications. Typically, these horn actuators are assembled by pre-stressing piezoelectric rings between the horn and backing layer using a pre-stress bolt. In the ultrasonic horn actuators presented in this paper the bolt was removed and the number of...
This chapter contains sections titled:
Why Subsurface Exploration?
Methods for Subsurface Access on Extraterrestrial Bodies
Grinders and Rock Abrasion Tools
Scoops
Moles
Ultrasonic and Percussive Actuated Drills
Surface Drills
Shallow Drilling: One Meter Class Drills
Ten‐Meter Class Drills
Deep Drills (>10 m)
Past and Present Subsurface Access Missions
Future Sampling Missions
Future European Prospects...
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