Photonically Sensorized Robotic Subsurface Sampling System

IFOS will work with Stanford University’s Center for Design Research to advance a robotic system with optical fiber-based physical sensing capabilities (particularly force, vibration, texture and temperature). The robotic system will be designed for probing and in situ analysis of solar system ices below the outer subsurface appropriate to Enceladus, Europa, Titan and Triton. In Phase 1, a feasibility prototype with the capability to operate on laboratory samples will be demonstrated. IFOS will work with Stanford University’s Center for Design Research (CDR) to develop a robotic tool with distributed photonics-based sensing capabilities. The robotic system will be designed for probing and in situ analysis of solar systems ices such as on Enceladus and Europa. The smart sensor drill could provide measurements for NASA’s science goals and in-situ resource utilization on the lunar surface. The proposal would develop a capable drilling tool to measure multiple material properties in-situ. The drilled-focused fiber-optic sensing system combined with the drilling system would measure several parameters, such as the temperature, dynamic strain, vibration profiles, with real-time, high-speed information on target substance composition, including volatile components, water ice, etc. The sensing optical fiber would be multiplexed, i.e., different segments of the same fiber can be integrated with different sensors, providing flexibility in the design. In Phase I, a feasibility prototype with the capability to operate on laboratory samples will be demonstrated.

The proposed project will provide NASA with a drilling tool for icy materials such as in comets that provides (a) haptic sensing enabling characterization of how solid or fractured composite rock-ice mixtures are, and (b) in situ subsurface spectroscopy. In situ analysis will enable larger area to be searched with sample return delayed until interesting results are found. Benefitting market sectors include commercial application of space mining, construction, search and rescue, manufacturing, and medicine, including robots performing dexterous tasks in environments dangerous or inaccessible to humans (e.g., handling hazardous materials) and highly skilled operations to enhance human operator capabilities (e.g., tele-surgery).

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.