SD2 – How To Sample A Comet

Abstract

SD2 (Sampler, Drill and Distribution System), is one of the instruments onboard the lander Philae of the Rosetta mission. This system is of primary importance for the lander mission since it is in charge to collect comet's soil samples at different depths and to distribute them to different instruments for analysis. SD2 has to meet very stringent requirements in terms of volume, mass and power consumption, operative range and severe environmental conditions. An overview of SD2 is provided, with the description of the sample acquisition and distribution procedure and an outline of the technological innovative aspects.

Cometary Isotopic Measurements

“…Comet samples can be collected by the Philae Lander Sampler Drill and Distribution system (SD2), from depths of up to 30cm (Finzi et al 2007). These samples will be transferred into one of either 10 High Temperature Ovens (HTO), which have a maximum temperature of ∼ 600°C, or 16 Medium Temperature Ovens (MTO), which have a maximum temperature of 180°C.…”

Methods and measurements to assess physical and geochemical conditions at the surface of Europa

“…For example, the 2-m drill for Mars has been demonstrated in the laboratory, but its implementation on the ExoMars (2018) Pasteur rover remains uncertain. Nevertheless, a low-temperature drill with the mass of $4 kg to reach the depth of 20 cm has been implemented on the Philae/ Rosetta lander (Finzi et al, 2007). The mass of the prototype Pasteur/ExoMars drill to reach the depth of 2 m is $20 kg, which is large, but still within the capabilities of the soft lander for Europa.…”

A Piezoelectric‐Driven Rock‐Drilling Device for Extraterrestrial Subsurface Exploration

“…When operating on the planets like mars and asteroids with low gravity fields, the drilling devices need large axial drilling pressure to penetrate hard rocks. However, overlarge axial load maybe overturn the lander or the probe vehicle [8,9]. Aimed at the deep space detection of even more distant planets, owing to the limited loading capability and power of space vehicles, the drill's design of miniaturization, lightweight, and low power consumption appears to be particularly important.…”