Microgravity Testing of the Dual Rasp Sampling Tool/System

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T0248-P

Microgravity Testing of the Dual Rasp Sampling Tool/System

PI: Mircea Badescu, Paul Backes (Co-I), NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Overview
Maturation Objectives

Cassini mission observations indicated that Enceladus has a subsurface ocean which contains the necessary ingredients to sustain life including thermal vent energy sources and necessary chemical elements. Enceladus gravity excludes the use of sampling tools developed for microgravity or low gravity. Validating an analytical model and a sampling tool for such an environment would enable a landed mission to Enceladus. The Dual-Rasp sampling system provides such a tool. Parabolic flight testing will allow analysis of the tool's capability to sample, transfer the sample into the sample cup and retain the sample. It will also validate the analytical model capability to predict the cuttings trajectory and cup sample retention capability.

Technology Areas (?)

TA04 Robotics, Tele-Robotics and Autonomous Systems
TA11 Modeling, Simulation, Information Technology and Processing

Problem Statement

The Dual-Rasp sampling system has two counter-rotating rasp cutters with teeth that remove material from the surface and throws it up between the cutters. The cuttings follow a guide into a sample collection cup. The sample cups retain the sample during acquisition and allow transfer to the instruments later.

Technology Maturation

Successful demonstration will contribute to advancing the TRL from 4 to 5 Microgravity and vacuum testing is needed since the particles trajectories and sample retention capability are expected to behave differently in microgravity than in earth gravity environment.

Future Customers

Potential robotic surface landed missions.
Technology applicable to other low gravity sampling landed missions.

Technology Details

Selection Date

NASA Directed
Program Status

Active
Current TRL (?)

Unknown

Successful FOP Flights

0 Parabolic

Development Team

PI

Mircea Badescu
PI Organization

NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Co-I

Paul Backes
Co-I Organization

NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Sponsor

NASA