- Working Prototype - Simple Regolith Sampler System

Last crawled date: 1 year, 11 months ago

Hi!

After assembling and testing my previous design, I made a few adjustments, tested again, and readjusted again to reach the final design in this current submission. I learned a lot in the process and really enjoyed arriving at this design – I hope it's helpful!

My sampling system is aimed at making the process as simple as possible to reduce the amount of moving parts and ensure robustness. Through prototyping, I have identified and fixed various issues to do with jamming at the point of collection, uneven depositing and the mass of the system as a whole. (Side note: I am unable to test it perfectly, as I believe it would probably work a little differently on the moon due to the difference in gravity, however I attempted to partially account for this by using lighter materials as my “moon rocks”).

I have included images of the design, STL files, and a document addressing each of the technical requirements and how my design meets them. This also includes an explanation of each step in the collection and depositing process.
Highlights are:
- Sampler works by being moved along the ground, allowing only rocks <2cm to enter the system at the front. Collected sample is then passed over a sifting grate which will separate 1-2cm rocks from <1cm rocks/dust. The weighing station at the end will determine when the 1-2cm minimum has been met, at which point, the sampler will tip to the side to begin the depositing phase. The collection container will be rotated so that 1-2cm rocks and <1cm rocks/dust will be deposited in two ongoing, spiralling layers.
- The system will collect and sort the required volume of regolith
- The system will make use of the space in the collection container by creating an even, spiralling distribution of rocks of various size
- Samples will be taken in the upper ~2.5cm of lunar regolith
- Rocks/dust inside and outside the sampling system will come into contact with only aluminum or Teflon
- Mass of the system = 0.354 kg
- System will be capable of operating in temperatures and the hard vacuum condition on the lunar surface
- Power drawn by the system is 1.14 Watts
- Visual confirmation is maintained at the collection point of entire sample, as well as of the 1-2cm rocks after they are sorted from the <1cm rocks/dust.
- Mounting, electrical components and lander components are taken into consideration and described in the "Technical Requirements" document.

I have uploaded an image and a video link of the final design 3D printed to give an idea of the system in action.

Video: https://vimeo.com/292433925

Thanks for putting this contest up and allowing the general public to be involved in the work NASA are doing. It’s a really rewarding experience and everyone’s creativity really comes out in the diverse set of submissions. Happy judging!

Cheers,
Lauren.