Demonstration of comet sample collection by penetrator

Abstract

We describe laboratory tests to investigate and demonstrate the acquisition and encapsulation of a subsurface sample from a comet analogue using a coring penetrator. The penetrator imbeds itself in the target, coring out a sample during the impact itself. Mechanisms seal the sample in a canister and the canister is spring-ejected from the rear of the penetrator where it can be retrieved in free-flight by a mother spacecraft, which thus need not perform a landing. We describe the penetrator vehicle, sample preparation and testing technique using the large airgun at the University of Arizona, and the performance results which indicate the technique is an attractive option for comet nucleus sample return.

Key Technologies and Instrumentation for Subsurface Exploration of Ocean Worlds

“…Particular payload features for penetrators are the opportunity to evaluate the mechanical properties of the target by recording the deceleration at impact, and the use of the kinetic energy of impact to perform sample acquisition (e.g. the penetrator on the proposed CRAF comet mission had a "hook" scraper that ingested a sample at impact, and other concepts for a hollow sampling penetrator have been demonstrated by Lorenz et al (2003)). On the other hand, the DS-2 mission developed a shock-tolerant sampler that drilled sideways from the penetrator body after impact.…”

Nonexplosive Approach to Fragment Subkilometer Asteroids with a Tether Centrifuge

“…So far, the approaches proposed in the literature toward improving our knowledge of asteroids structure and interior have been based on indirect measurements through radar tomography [1] and seismology [2] and on direct measurements through subsurface sampling [3]. Although the former can only provide limited resolution measurements of the interior the latter are restricted to the outer layers of the celestial object.…”

Modeling and Simulation of a Tethered Harpoon for Comet Sampling

“…Utilizing a rover-mounted harpoon to collect samples from Mars cliffs and a balloon-mounted harpoon to sample the surface of Titan has been proposed. 3 Other concepts are described in, 16 . 17 Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has proposed using a harpoon sampler for comet sampling.…”