NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Penetrator Coring Apparatus for Cometary SurfacesTouch and go impact coring is an attractive technique for sampling cometary nuclei and asteroidal surface on account of the uncertain strength properties and low surface gravities of these objects. Initial coring experiments in low temperature (approx. 153K polycrystalline ice) and porous rock demonstrate that simultaneous with impact coring, measurements of both the penetration strength and constraints on the frictional properties of surface materials can be obtained upon core penetration and core sample extraction. The method of sampling an asteroid, to be deployed, on the now launched MUSES-C mission, employs a small gun device that fires into the asteroid and the resulted impact ejecta is collected for return to Earth. This technique is well suited for initial sampling in a very low gravity environment and deployment depends little on asteroid surface mechanical properties. Since both asteroids and comets are believed to have altered surface properties a simple sampling apparatus that preserves stratigraphic information, such as impact coring is an attractive alternate to impact ejecta collection.
Document ID
20040062104
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Braun, David F.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Heinrich, Michael
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Ai, Huirong Anita
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Ahrens, Thomas J.
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2004
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV: Asteroids, Meteors, Comets
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Document Inquiry

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available