Sampling Mole (99-02)


The Sampling Mole is a Mole with added capabilities of sampling and backwards hammering. Sampling is performed at the tip: the tip may open then, during further penetration, catches a few grains inside. Retrieval is up to the surface is made via tether pull by a winch and assisted with backward hammering: this additional feature greatly helps the Mole extraction. The Sampling Mole tip, actuated by a manipulator arm, is brought to a port on the Lander for sample delivery and subsequent sample analysis.

Development tests of an engineering model were completed by DLR (D) with consultancy of VNII Transmash (RU).
 
  
 
Sampling Mole
 
 
 
 Left:Sampling Mole, body and hammering mechanism with drawing of section (note sampling cavity in the tip); Right: elements of the sampling system within the tip.
  
 
Sampling Mole
 
Sampling Mole integrated with launch tube and winch
 
 
 
Sketch of Sampling Mole ‘PLUTO’ of BEAGLE 2
   
Sketch of Sampling Mole ‘PLUTO’ of BEAGLE 2
 
The Sampling Mole successfully developed for ESA became the engineering model of the PLUTO Sampling Mole Mole [http://www.aerospace-technology.com/projects/beagle/ ]which was mounted on the ill-fated Mars Lander BEAGLE 2. DLR and VNII Transmash completed the qualification of this item for the BEAGLE 2 team.
  
 
  
Last update: 22 February 2011

 •  Sampling Devices for Planetary Exploration (http://www.esa.int/TEC/mechanisms/SEM9Y856JGG_0.html)

Soil sampling devices

 •  SSA/DT (95-97) (http://www.esa.int/TEC/mechanisms/SEMBD956JGG_0.html)
 •  CNSR SAS-1m (90-95) (http://www.esa.int/TEC/mechanisms/SEMT3956JGG_0.html)
 •  CNSR– SAS-3m (88-90) (http://www.esa.int/TEC/mechanisms/SEMW1956JGG_0.html)

Mars and future planets

 •  Drill with hammering mechanism (DHM) (05-07) (http://www.esa.int/TEC/mechanisms/SEMUDCY1LJG_0.html)
 •  Ultrasonic Drill Tool (05-07) (http://www.esa.int/TEC/mechanisms/SEMMWCY1LJG_0.html)
 •  Instrumented Mole System (IMS) (02-06) (http://www.esa.int/TEC/mechanisms/SEMS2BY1LJG_0.html)
 •  Mobile Penetrometer: “Mole” (96-97) (http://www.esa.int/TEC/mechanisms/SEMZY956JGG_0.html)
 •  Mobile Instrument Deployment Device (MIDD) (94-02) (http://www.esa.int/TEC/mechanisms/SEMCEA56JGG_0.html)
 •  Current and future developments (http://www.esa.int/TEC/mechanisms/SEM6FA56JGG_0.html)