UPCD: Field Trial Results and Further Work

The Ultrasonic Planetary Core Drill (UPCD) project sought to develop and conduct a field trial, in an analogous Martian environment, of a space-compatible regolith-sampling tool. The project implemented a number of key technologies to achieve this aim; a drilling control loop based on ultrasonic power feedback, a bayonet interface system to allow a drillstring to be built up in-situ then disassembled after use, a coring design which captured the cores drilled out, and a mechanism for caching the core samples in sealable containers. The system was demonstrated in the laboratory with results indicating low power, low weight on bit, achievement of the targeted depth, and the retrieval of still-frozen core samples. The routines to allow the system to become fully autonomous were also demonstrated. The drill was deployed to Coal Nunatak on Alexander Island, Antarctica, for analogue trials. The drill was demonstrated to work, as was the caching and drill assembly/disassembly system, but the target depth was not achieved. A review of drill depth is provided along with a laboratory solution to the problems encountered in the field. Further work using the UPCD is also discussed.