Research of Drilling and Sampling Technique for Lunar Polar Region Exploration

Abstract

According to China’s lunar exploration program，after completing lunar soil sample return mission of Chang’E-5，in-situ exploration and sample return exploration will be carried out for the lunar polar region，and the exploration of material composition，resource distribution and existing form in the lunar polar region will be important scientific objectives for the follow-up lunar exploration missions. Because of the special environmental characteristics of the lunar polar region，there is a great possibility of the existence of water-bearing lunar soils in the form of icy soil. The study of sampling technology for such objects will strongly support the demonstration and implementation of future lunar exploration missions，which has great engineering significance. Based on the investigation and analysis of the characteristics of the lunar polar region and the sampling techniques of lunar icy soil，the key drilling and sampling techniques of the lunar icy soil in the polar region are proposed，and the key technical approaches are clarified. The design idea of samplers for both in-situ detection mission and sample return mission is proposed，and the research progress is introduced.

Keywords

lunar polar region / water ice / icy soil / drilling and sampling technique

References

[1] 王亚明,苏彦,封剑青,等. 月球两极探测进展[J]. 天文研究与技术,2016,13:300-309
WANG Y M,SU Y,FENG J Q. A review of lunar polar exploration[J]. Astronomical Research & Technology,2016,13:300-309
[2] BART G D，COLAPRETE A. Shadow depths and other characteristics of potential LCROSS impact sites[C]//Lunar and Planetary Institute Science Conference. Texas：[s. n.]，2009.
[3] FELDMAN W，BARRACLOUGH B，MAURICE S，et al. Major compositional units of the Moon：lunar prospector thermal and fast neutrons[J]. Science，1998，281(5382)：1489-1493.
[4] DAVID A P,MATTHEW A S,JO A J,et al. 2010. Diviner lurnar radiometer observations of cold trap in the Moon’s south polar region[J]. Science,2010,330:479-482
[5] COLAPRETE A,SCHULTZ P,HELDMANN J,et al. Detection of water in the LCROSS ejecta plume[J]. Science,2010,330:463-468
[6] HARUYAMA J,OHTAKE M. Lack of exposed ice inside lunar south pole Shackleton Crater[J]. Science,2008,322:938-939
[7] HELDMANN J L,COLAPRETE A,ELPHIC R C,et al. Site selection and traverse planning to support a lunar polar rover mission:a case study at Haworth Crater[J]. Acta Astronautica,2016,127:308-320
[8] REID E,ILES P,MUISE J,et al. The Artemis Jr. rover:mobility platform for lunar ISRU mission simulation[J]. Advances in Space Research,2015,55(10):2472-2483
[9] BAR-COHEN Y，ZACNY K. Drilling in Extreme Environments[M]. Weinheim，Germany：Wiley VCH，2009.
[10] CARR M H. Water on Mars[J]. Nature,1987,326(6108):30-39
[11] PITCHER C,K?MLE N,LEIBNIZ O,et al. Investigation of the properties of icy lunar polar regolith simulants[J]. Advances in Space Research,2016,57(5):1197-1208
[12] PITCHER C,GAO Y. Analysis of drill head designs for dual-reciprocating drilling technique in planetary regoliths[J]. Advances in Space Research,2015,56(8):1765-1776
[13] ZACNY K，CRAFT J，HEDLUND M，et al. Investigating the efficiency of pneumatic transfer of JSC-1A lunar regolith simulant in vacuum and lunar gravity during parabolic flights[C]//AIAA SPACE 2010 Conference & Exposition. [S. l.]：AIAA，2010.
[14] PAULSEN G，ZACNY K，MCKAY C，et al. Rotary-percussive deep drill for planetary applications[C]//Earth and Space 2010：Engineering，Science，Construction，and Operations in Challenging Environments. Hawaii：[s. n.]，2010.
[15] PIQUETTE M,HORáNYI M,STERN S A. Laboratory experiments to investigate sublimation rates of water ice in nighttime lunar regolith[J]. Icarus,2017,293:180-184
[16] 王露斯，殷参，杨帅，等. 现有采样技术对极区冻土类月壤适应性分析[C]//中国宇航学会深空探测技术专业委员会第十五届学术年会. 珠海：中国宇航学会深空探测技术专业委员会，2018.
[17] 刘德赟，赖小明，莫桂冬，等. 月球极区冻土类月壤采样技术分析[C]//中国宇航学会深空探测技术专业委员会第十五届学术年会. 珠海：中国宇航学会深空探测技术专业委员会，2018.
[18] 杨帅，莫桂冬，曾婷，等. 月球极区冻土类月壤采样技术研究[C]//五院科技委空间科学与空间探测专业组2018年学术交流会. 北京：五院科技委空间科学与空间探测专业组，2018.