Lunar Resource Prospecting Drill

The drill is a critical system for the Lunar Resource Prospecting Mission (RPM). The RP mission will be the first mission with a goal of identifying and quantifying lunar volatiles. The goal of the drill would be to capture volatile-rich sample from up to 1 m depth, and deliver the sample (with limited loss of volatiles) to instruments for analysis. The current TRL 4 drill, represents a several million dollar investment by NASA SBIR program (as well as NASA SMD) in planetary drilling technology. The drill has been initially developed for capturing of volatile-rich sample from 1 m depth on Mars, under NASA SBIR funding and to some extend under NASA SMD funded programs. However, with modifications, the same drill and sampling approach could be used on the Moon. Hence the RPM would take advantage of the high TRL technology developed by SBIR and SMD programs. During a two year effort, the Mars-focused 1 m drill design will be modified to deliver a sample from up to a meter below the surface to the Payload OVEN and to operate in the expected lunar conditions of the RP mission. Part one of the effort will initially be devoted to testing preliminary drill modifications (separately funded) in NASA GRC�s lunar vacuum chamber facilities. Test results will guide the redesign activities which will complete Part one of the effort. In Part two, an Engineering Test Unit will be fabricated and thoroughly tested over the complete range of expected mission environments, such as Thermal, Vacuum, Launch Vibration and Electromagnetic Interference. At the conclusion of Part two, the TRL-6 validated design will be turned over to the RP Payload flight project team for integration.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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