A Novel Penetration System for in situ Astrobiological Studies

Due to ultraviolet flux in the surface layers of most solar bodies, future astrobiological research is increasingly seeking to conduct subsurface penetration and drilling to detect chemical signature for extant or extinct life. To address this issue, we present a micro-penetrator concept (mass &...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yang Gao, Alex Ellery, Mustafa Jaddou, Julian Vincent, Steven Eckersley
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2008-11-01
Series:International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.intechopen.com/articles/show/title/a_novel_penetration_system_for_in_situ_astrobiological_studies
id doaj-05e83497d3344134bb9f4f721b6dbdf1
record_format Article
spelling doaj-05e83497d3344134bb9f4f721b6dbdf12020-11-25T03:11:11ZengSAGE PublishingInternational Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems1729-88061729-88142008-11-0124A Novel Penetration System for in situ Astrobiological StudiesYang GaoAlex ElleryMustafa JaddouJulian VincentSteven EckersleyDue to ultraviolet flux in the surface layers of most solar bodies, future astrobiological research is increasingly seeking to conduct subsurface penetration and drilling to detect chemical signature for extant or extinct life. To address this issue, we present a micro-penetrator concept (mass < 10 kg) that is suited for extraterrestrial planetary deployment and in situ investigation of chemical and physical properties. The instrumentation in this concept is a bio-inspired drill to access material beneath sterile surface layer for biomarker detection. The proposed drill represents a novel concept of two-valve-reciprocating motion, inspired by the working mechanism of wood wasp ovipositors. It is lightweight (0.5 kg), driven at low power (3 W), and able to drill deep (1-2 m). Tests have shown that the reciprocating drill is feasible and has potential of improving drill efficiency without using any external force. The overall penetration system provides a small, light and energy efficient solution to in situ astrobiological studies, which is crucial for space engineering. Such a micro-penetrator can be used for exploration of terrestrial-type planets or other small bodies of the solar system with the minimum of modifications. http://www.intechopen.com/articles/show/title/a_novel_penetration_system_for_in_situ_astrobiological_studiesPlanetary penetrationdrillingastrobiological studiesbio-inspired systems
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Yang Gao
Alex Ellery
Mustafa Jaddou
Julian Vincent
Steven Eckersley
spellingShingle Yang Gao
Alex Ellery
Mustafa Jaddou
Julian Vincent
Steven Eckersley
A Novel Penetration System for in situ Astrobiological Studies
International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems
Planetary penetration
drilling
astrobiological studies
bio-inspired systems
author_facet Yang Gao
Alex Ellery
Mustafa Jaddou
Julian Vincent
Steven Eckersley
author_sort Yang Gao
title A Novel Penetration System for in situ Astrobiological Studies
title_short A Novel Penetration System for in situ Astrobiological Studies
title_full A Novel Penetration System for in situ Astrobiological Studies
title_fullStr A Novel Penetration System for in situ Astrobiological Studies
title_full_unstemmed A Novel Penetration System for in situ Astrobiological Studies
title_sort novel penetration system for in situ astrobiological studies
publisher SAGE Publishing
series International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems
issn 1729-8806
1729-8814
publishDate 2008-11-01
description Due to ultraviolet flux in the surface layers of most solar bodies, future astrobiological research is increasingly seeking to conduct subsurface penetration and drilling to detect chemical signature for extant or extinct life. To address this issue, we present a micro-penetrator concept (mass < 10 kg) that is suited for extraterrestrial planetary deployment and in situ investigation of chemical and physical properties. The instrumentation in this concept is a bio-inspired drill to access material beneath sterile surface layer for biomarker detection. The proposed drill represents a novel concept of two-valve-reciprocating motion, inspired by the working mechanism of wood wasp ovipositors. It is lightweight (0.5 kg), driven at low power (3 W), and able to drill deep (1-2 m). Tests have shown that the reciprocating drill is feasible and has potential of improving drill efficiency without using any external force. The overall penetration system provides a small, light and energy efficient solution to in situ astrobiological studies, which is crucial for space engineering. Such a micro-penetrator can be used for exploration of terrestrial-type planets or other small bodies of the solar system with the minimum of modifications.
topic Planetary penetration
drilling
astrobiological studies
bio-inspired systems
url http://www.intechopen.com/articles/show/title/a_novel_penetration_system_for_in_situ_astrobiological_studies
work_keys_str_mv AT yanggao anovelpenetrationsystemforinsituastrobiologicalstudies
AT alexellery anovelpenetrationsystemforinsituastrobiologicalstudies
AT mustafajaddou anovelpenetrationsystemforinsituastrobiologicalstudies
AT julianvincent anovelpenetrationsystemforinsituastrobiologicalstudies
AT steveneckersley anovelpenetrationsystemforinsituastrobiologicalstudies
AT yanggao novelpenetrationsystemforinsituastrobiologicalstudies
AT alexellery novelpenetrationsystemforinsituastrobiologicalstudies
AT mustafajaddou novelpenetrationsystemforinsituastrobiologicalstudies
AT julianvincent novelpenetrationsystemforinsituastrobiologicalstudies
AT steveneckersley novelpenetrationsystemforinsituastrobiologicalstudies
_version_ 1724655654762708992