A Drill-Integrated Gamma Ray/Neutron Detector for Solar System Exploration

The approach is to integrate neutron/gamma instrumentation into a unique sample-acquisition drill, developed by Honeybee Robotics under an SBIR, and greatly matured under the HEOMD/Advanced Exploration Systems for the Resource Prospector mission, led by ARC. This approach includes (1) adapting an existing brassboard design for gamma/neutron detector into the required volume; (2) procuring the required scintillator (CLYC) and photodetectors (small silicon photo multipliers) plus pre-amps for assembly; and (3) integrating and testing the system in a relevant environment (EEL time included in budget).

NASA needs tools to assess subsurface environments on the Moon, Mars, Phobos/Deimos or an asteroid to understand the composition and identifying potentially habitable environments, or for resource characterization and ISRU. Such drill-integrated instrumentation does not currently exist for planetary surface applications. A key needed capability is to measure while drilling, and to immediately recover a subsurface sample based on those measurements in a single operation. This simplifies the process of sample acquisition, and reduces overall operational risk.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — 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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