Standard penetrator sampling systems were designed in order to allow for sampling via penetrators to produce a full set of sample acquisitions including volatile liquids, fine powders, and solid fragments. A gravity harpoon sampler has been designed with a removable tip and a quick coupling. The separation allows for sample handling and eliminates sample cross-contamination. Also, this design allows for multiple use of the penetrator body, which is the largest and heaviest part of the penetrator, while allowing for multiple changes of the light-mass, penetrator tip to avoid sample cross-contamination.
The penetrator tip design has been improved by adding a spring trap to retain the sample, as well as a means for connecting to a quick coupling. Quick connect tips have been demonstrated in a sample handling carousel. The penetrator was released and rewound and the tips were released into a circular platter for rotation into instrument stations. The pyro-harpoon sampler was fabricated and tested with a NASA Standard Initiator (NSI) pyrotechnic charge. Initial tests collected cryogenic ice, but removal of the small pyro-harpoon from the ice was difficult. A brass metal sheath was then fitted over the harpoon tip, and removal from the ice was greatly alleviated by leaving the sheath in the ice. Quartz windows in the tips allow direct optical and spectral imaging and gas chromatographymass spectrometer (GCMS) pyrolysis, and were found to survive impact. All systems were successfully tested by dropping into sand and into cryogenic ice.
This work was done by Stewart Sherrit, Jack A. Jones, and Mircea Badescu of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
NPO-45861
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Quick-Connect Windowed Non-Stick Penetrator Tips for Rapid Sampling
(reference NPO-45861) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document presents a technical support package from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) detailing the development of Quick-Connect Windowed Non-Stick Penetrator Tips designed for rapid sampling in space exploration missions. These innovative penetrator tips aim to address the challenges associated with sampling from unstable platforms, such as aerobots, which are proposed for missions to planets like Mars, Venus, and moons like Titan and Europa.
The primary goal of the invention is to enhance the reliability and efficiency of sample acquisition from various surfaces, including ice and regolith. Traditional penetrator systems have limitations that can hinder sample collection and handling. To overcome these issues, the new design incorporates several novel features: a detachable tip for easy sample handling, a sample chamber for retaining collected materials, windows that allow for optical and spectral analysis, and a sacrificial sheath that prevents the tip from anchoring in the sampled media.
The document outlines the technical challenges faced in developing these penetrator tips, including the need for lightweight and reliable designs that can retain samples without cross-contamination. The solution involved modifying existing designs, such as the gravity harpoon sampler, to include a removable tip and a quick coupling mechanism. This allows for multiple uses of the penetrator body while facilitating the safe handling of samples.
Testing of the new penetrator tips has been conducted, demonstrating their effectiveness in collecting samples from various materials, including cryogenic ice and sand. The design improvements, such as the inclusion of a spring trap for sample retention and the optical access windows, are highlighted as significant advancements over previous technologies.
Overall, the document emphasizes the potential applications of these penetrator tips in future NASA missions and their broader implications for aerospace-related developments. The technology is positioned as a valuable asset for conducting aeronautical and space activities, with the potential for commercial applications as well. The document concludes by inviting further inquiries and collaboration through NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program.
