Unoccupied Aerial System Coring Drill Sampler Development for Applications on Earth and Other Planetary Bodies

Colin Chen, Kathryn Bywaters, Kris Zacny, Nicklaus Traeden, Christopher W. Hamilton

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Unoccupied aerial systems (UAS) have become increasingly prevalent and accessible, making the technology transformative for scientific research as well as commercial, industrial, and military applications on Earth. Current and planned UAS missions to Mars and Titan—with Ingenuity and Dragonfly, respectively—further demonstrate the importance of UAS for planetary exploration. UAS have broadened access to traditionally difficult to reach terrain and are enabling new forms of exploration on Earth and other planetary bodies. To increase UAS geotechnical capabilities that extend beyond remote sensing to in situ sampling, we demonstrate a new UAS-based drill-sampling capability. The drilling platform is comprised of a lightweight rotary-percussive coring drill with a compliant mount to allow for sampling in varied and uneven terrain. This paper discusses the design of this drill-sampling system and its real-world applications in a variety of planetary analog environments.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationEarth and Space 2024
Subtitle of host publicationEngineering for Extreme Environments - Proceedings of the 19th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments
EditorsRamesh B. Malla, Justin D. Littell, Sudarshan Krishnan, Landolf Rhode-Barbarigos, Nipesh Pradhananga, Seung Jae Lee
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Pages321-331
Number of pages11
ISBN (Electronic)9780784485736
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024
Event19th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments, Earth and Space 2024 - Miami, United States
Duration: Apr 15 2024Apr 18 2024

Publication series

NameEarth and Space 2024: Engineering for Extreme Environments - Proceedings of the 19th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments

Conference

Conference19th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments, Earth and Space 2024
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMiami
Period4/15/244/18/24

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction
  • Environmental Engineering

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