Bio-Inspired Micro-Drills for Future Planetary Exploration

Abstract

In a domain such as space technology, where robustness, mass, volume and power efficiency are key, biological organisms may provide inspiration for new systems with high performance. By using micro-technology processes, designers of space systems may take advantage of the millions of years over which miniaturised mechanisms in plants and animals have been optimised for survival. Space exploration often requires systems equipped with drills, and miniaturised drillers could enable a number of new space operations. Two natural digging systems have been studied as potential miniature space digging systems; the ovipositors of the female locust and of sirex noctilio, a species of woodwasp. Being insectoid systems, the mechanics of their design work on an inherently small scale, though they are also thought to be scalable. Results of preliminary studies, performed during collaboration between the Advanced Concepts Team of ESA, the University of Bath, the University of Surrey, D’appolonia and EADS-Astrium, are presented and discussed. Engineering solutions are proposed and analysed to assess the potential of new bio-inspired miniaturised digging systems for space applications.

First implementation of burrowing motions in dual-reciprocating drilling using an integrated actuation mechanism

“…By taking inspiration from nature, biologically-inspired drilling solutions have been proposed as alternatives to conventional methods (Menon et al, 2006). One such design is the Dual-Reciprocating Drill (DRD) technique, inspired by the ovipositor of the sirex noctilio, or wood wasp.…”

Asymmetry between the dorsal and ventral digging valves of the female locust: function and mechanics

“…Locust digging has been studied using simplified 2D models and simulations [16,17], and the directiondependent biomechanics of the locust's major (dorsal) digging valves were recently quantified and analyzed [14]. However, the distinctive geometric shape of each pair of valves and the effect of this shape on the biomechanical properties have remained elusive.…”

“…However, the distinctive geometric shape of each pair of valves and the effect of this shape on the biomechanical properties have remained elusive. Specifically, since the dorsal valves are considered to have the dominant role in loosening and shoveling the soil out of the way of the extending locust abdomen [2,16], it was particularly intriguing to understand whether and how their shape differs from that of the ventral valves. Note that the lack of symmetry pertains not to morphological asymmetry (the differences within the pairs of dorsal and ventral valves), but rather to the geometric differences between the dorsal and ventral valves.…”

Towards bio-inspired robots for underground and surface exploration in planetary environments: An overview and novel developments inspired in sand-swimmers

“…as [1,15,16] or [11]) that still not connected to the field of planetary exploration, and hence missing in most space reviews. And from the existing literature on bio-inspired explorers, we find surveys limited to agency roadmaps [17,18,19], or to robots facing a particular environment, either subsurface [20,21,22], surface [23,24,25] or aerial exploration [26,27]. Therefore in this section we try to address the most recent worldwide efforts on robotics, that drawing inspiration from nature, are taken to develop more robust concepts for surface exploration (legged or limbless robots), or subsurface equipment (penetrators, excavators).…”