Sample Caching Concept for Planetary Missions

Author

Backes, Paul ; Collins, Curtis

Author_Institution

Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena

Volume

22

Issue

7

fYear

2007

fDate

7/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

29

Lastpage

34

Abstract

A Sample Caching Subsystem (SCS) concept that provides transfer and storage of core and soil samples for planetary missions has been developed. The SCS could be carried on a rover and a rover arm-mounted coring tool could acquire samples and deposit the samples in the SCS. The SCS would transfer the samples into a sample container, with each sample in a separate sleeve. Important to the SCS design is the ability to seal each sleeve, and the sample with it, to isolate it from other samples and from the external environment. Sealing of the samples will allow for maintaining the integrity of organic materials over many years thereby allowing the samples to be analyzed in later missions or after a return trip to Earth.

Keywords

aerospace engineering; aerospace instrumentation; aerospace robotics; planetary rovers; remote handling equipment; SCS design; Sample Caching Subsystem concept; core sample storage; core sample transfer; planetary missions; rover arm mounted coring tool; soil sample storage; soil sample transfer; Containers; Earth; Instruments; Laboratories; Mars; Organic materials; Propulsion; Sampling methods; Seals; Soil;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0885-8985

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/MAES.2007.4285988

Filename

4285988