A paper describes the Sample Caching Subsystem (SCS), a method for storing planetary core and soil samples in a container that seals the samples away from the environment to protect the integrity of the samples and any organics they might contain. This process places samples in individual sleeves that are sealed within a container for use by either the current mission or by following
missions.
A sample container is stored with its sleeves partially inserted. When a sample is ready to be contained, a transfer arm rotates over and grasps a sleeve, pulls it out of the container from below, rotates over and inserts the sleeve into a funnel where it is passively locked into place and then released from the arm. An external sampling tool deposits the sample into the sleeve, which is aligned with the tool via passive compliance of the funnel. After the sampling tool leaves the funnel, the arm retrieves the sleeve and inserts it all the way into the sample container. This action engages the seal. Full containers can be left behind for pick-up by subsequent science missions, and container dimensions are compatible for placement in a Mars Ascent Vehicle for later return to Earth.
This work was done by Paul G. Backes and Curtis L. Collins of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Refer to NPO-44154.
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Sample Caching Subsystem
(reference NPO-44154) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document discusses NASA's Sample Caching Subsystem (SCS), a significant advancement in the storage and preservation of planetary and lunar surface samples. Prior to the SCS, missions faced challenges in isolating and sealing samples, leading to the need for each mission to independently collect samples, which resulted in duplicated costs and resources. The SCS addresses these issues by allowing one mission to collect samples that can be used by follow-on missions, thereby saving costs and mass that can be redirected to enhance scientific returns.
The SCS is designed to maintain the integrity of organic materials in samples by isolating them from the external environment. The system comprises four primary components: a sample container, sample sleeves, a transfer arm, and a compliant funnel. The process begins with the storage of sample sleeves in a container. When a sample is ready for collection, the robotic arm retrieves a sleeve from the container and places it into the funnel, which passively aligns the sleeve with the external sample acquisition tool. This design accommodates any misalignment between the sampling tool and the sleeve, ensuring efficient sample transfer.
Once the sample is deposited into the sleeve, the arm retrieves it from the funnel and inserts it back into the sample container, where it is sealed from the external environment. This innovative approach not only allows for the safe storage of samples but also enables the collection of samples from multiple missions without the need for additional mobility and acquisition capabilities.
The novelty of the SCS lies in its ability to store samples separately and seal them, a feature not present in previous solutions. The design is flexible regarding the size of samples and containers, with initial designs assuming sleeves of approximately 6 cm in length and 1 cm in diameter. The SCS represents a significant leap forward in sample caching technology, facilitating more efficient and effective planetary exploration.
For further inquiries or detailed information, the document provides contact details for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Innovative Technology Assets Management team. Overall, the SCS is a crucial development in the field of space exploration, promising to enhance the scientific yield of future missions.
