Anchoring thermal drills for icy moon stability and mobility

Halperin, Adam H.; Sedwick, Raymond J.

doi:10.1016/j.pss.2020.104967

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…They observed that a single probe operating in cryogenic vacuum conditions was able to penetrate more than a probe length, followed by hole closure, which stalled the probe when its trailing tether became frozen in. Subsequent work on probes under low-pressure conditions by Weiss et al (2008), Kaufmann et al (2009), Biele et al (2011), Kömle et al (2018), Horne (2018), and Halperin & Sedwick (2020) also did not demonstrate probe motion at steady state following observation of hole closure, but form the context for this important aim of our study. Our observations of this phenomenon are discussed in Section 4.2.1.…”

Section: Experimental Background On the Startup Phasementioning

confidence: 61%

Experimental Validation of Cryobot Thermal Models for the Exploration of Ocean Worlds

Pereira

Durka

Hogan³

et al. 2023

Planet. Sci. J.

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Accessing the potentially habitable subsurface waters of Ocean Worlds requires a robotic ice probe (or “cryobot”) to traverse tens of kilometers of ice with temperatures ranging from ∼100 to 273 K. Designing and planning such a mission requires understanding ice probe behavior as a function of the local environment and design parameters. We present experimental results of two laboratory melt probes in cryogenic (79 K) and warm (253 K) ice. The melt probe tested in warm ice had multiple adjustable heaters, enabling optimization of the system's efficiency. The melt probes tested in cryogenic ice operated in vacuum and had internal tether spools, allowing for experimental confirmation of hole closure and the creation of a pressurized pocket with liquid water around the probe. These melt probes were tested at power levels ranging from 120 to 1135 W, achieving descent speeds between 5.3 and 59 cm hr−1. By analyzing the relationship between power and speed using analytical and high-fidelity numerical models, we demonstrate progress in understanding melt probe performance. We distinguish between the previously confounding terms of probe operational inefficiency and analytical model inaccuracy, allowing us to understand the range of applicability of the analytical models and demonstrate the importance of controlling heat distribution in cryobot design. The validated models show that while numerical models may be required to describe the behavior of short probes descending in limited-size laboratory test beds, the performance of efficient cryobots designed for operation on Ocean Worlds can be predicted by analytical models within 5% error.

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Section: Experimental Background On the Startup Phasementioning

confidence: 61%

Experimental Validation of Cryobot Thermal Models for the Exploration of Ocean Worlds

Pereira

Durka

Hogan³

et al. 2023

Planet. Sci. J.

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“…On the icy planets such as Europe, the main challenge of the rovers is the high potential of slide. Halperin and Sedwick introduced a thermal drilling technique for drilling and emplacing an anchor in Europe's icy regolith to increase the safety and maneuver degree of the rovers [66]. The anchor helped the rover to climb over the steep grounds on Europe.…”

Section: Extraterrestrial Structures 231 Surface Structuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Different Aspects of Off-Earth Drilling

Knez

Khalilidermani²

2021

Energies

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Off-Earth drilling may be assumed as the second phase of space exploration to discover the unrevealed subsurface on the planetary bodies. It accelerates future space objectives such as in-situ propellant production, mineral exploitation, and space tourism. Owing to the rampant progress in modern technology, the new drill tools mounted on the sophisticated robots are capable to drill the planetary regolith dispersed on the celestial objects; however, formidable obstacles such as microgravity, vacuum condition, and temperature fluctuation as well as the weight limitation, lack of real-time drilling analysis, and remote robot-operator communication impose pressing restrictions on the quick development of space drilling tools. In this study, research on the past and present aspects of off-Earth drilling has been implemented to illuminate the horizon of this technology in the near-term future. The context encompasses a detailed description of the limitations, applications and mechanisms of the different drilling techniques adopted for planetary bodies. A particular emphasis is put on the hydraulic power systems which have not been satisfactorily deployed in off-Earth drilling yet. The research strives to glance over the pivotal aspects of off-Earth drilling to contribute to the future drilling programs planned by the national and private space agencies.

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Anchoring thermal drills for icy moon stability and mobility

Cited by 2 publications

References 12 publications

Experimental Validation of Cryobot Thermal Models for the Exploration of Ocean Worlds

Experimental Validation of Cryobot Thermal Models for the Exploration of Ocean Worlds

A Review of Different Aspects of Off-Earth Drilling

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