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Lightweight Low Force Rotary Percussive Coring Tool for Planetary Applications

Award Information

Agency:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
83805 		Program Year/Program:
2008 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
066739 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Alliance Spacesystems, LLC
1250 Lincoln Blvd., Suite 100 Pasadena, CA 91103 2466
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 2
Fiscal Year: 2008
Title: Lightweight Low Force Rotary Percussive Coring Tool for Planetary Applications
Agency: NASA
Contract: NNC08CA27C
Award Amount: $595,890.00
 

Abstract:

Alliance Spacesystems, LLC produced a rotary percussive drill designed for space use under a NASA-funded Mars Instrument Development Program (MIDP) project ýý the Low-force Sample Acquisition System (LSAS). The flight-like drill prototype that was the end result of the project successfully drilled and acquired 1 cmýý samples from a variety of rocks and soils including the hardest anticipated Martian rock (basalt) and frozen soil. This ability was demonstrated not only in ambient conditions but also in a thermal/vacuum chamber replicating Mars pressure and extreme temperatures. The rotary percussive approach is simple, robust, and highly efficient with regards to power and mass. During the SBIR 2006 Phase I effort, Alliance took this heritage device and expanded its potential to include coring against a variety of rock materials anticipated to be encountered on Mars. Through the use of a breadboard fixture, coring bit designs and coring parameters were evaluated to identify optimum combinations. At the completion of test a conceptual design was generated taking this coring experience into account and adding core retention, break and ejection features. A bit change mechanism, identified as a requirement for successful operation while maintaining design robustness and simplicity, was added as well. A Phase II effort is now proposed that will take this conceptual design into prototype form. Primary activities to be performed during Phase II will include: ýý Additional coring test runs to work out final details of detail bit design ýý Detail design and prototyping of core handling mechanisms ýý Prototype testing of core handling mechanisms ýý Design and manufacture of full prototype LSAS Corer system ýý Testing of prototype LSAS corer ýý Integration of LSAS corer onto robotic platform and functional demonstration

Principal Investigator:

Scott Stanley
Principal Investigator
6262961373
sstanley@alliancespacesystems.com

Business Contact:

Scott P. Stanley
Director, Advanced Programs
6262961373
sstanley@alliancespacesystems.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Alliance Spacesystems, LLC
1250 Lincoln Blvd., Suite 100 Pasadena, CA 91103

EIN/Tax ID: 342064873
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No