Small body sampling techniques being developed at johns hopkins university appplied physics laboratory
- Paper number
IAC-06-A3.5.04
- Author
Mr. Jeffrey Lees, The John Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Dave Persons, The John Hopkins University, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Theodore J. Hartka, The John Hopkins University, United States
- Year
2006
- Abstract
At the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) we have been developing techniques to collect samples of regolith from small bodies, asteroids, comets, and moons, in a micro-gravity environment and store them in a Sample Return Vehicle (SRV). These same techniques could also be employed in higher gravity bodies such as planets. We have demonstrated three types of collection methods: 1) surface samples of dust or regolith; 2) bulk material collection; 3) core samples that maintain stratigraphy up to 10 cm deep. The techniques that we have developed are intended for bodies that are believed to have a layer of regoligh ranging from a fraction of a millimeter to greater than 100 millimeters. An advantage of the JHU/APL sampling techniques is that the samples are acquired quickly and do not require a prolonged landing or drilling operations. We have also prototyped mechanisms to place the collected samples in prototype storage receptacles and an SRV simulator. The purpose of this work is to demonstrate sample collection, sample storage in a SRV, and ability to close the SRV door for future sample return missions. This paper will discuss some of the sampling techniques and mechanisms developed at APL and a review of the results achieved to date.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-A3.5.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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