CNSR– SAS-3m (88-90)


In the Comet Nucleus Sample Return (CNSR) scenario, the Sample Acquisition System (SAS) had to perform the following tasks:
  • Anchoring the S/C on the comet (to counteract the drilling and other force/torque);
  • Sampling of materials, to acquire:
    • surface sample, i.e. 1 to 5 kg;
    • a core sample, down to a depth of 3 m;
    • a volatile sample at the bottom (10-100 g).
  • Manipulation and handling samples and tools: the core sample, of diameter 10 cm, had to be cut in segments of 0.5 m long for storage in the Earth Return Container.

 
The requirement of sampling down to 3 m led to rather complex items; a single corer was impractical, and a corer device held on a telescopic tube was selected.

The total mass of the samples was superior to 15 kg, and their volume about 25 l.
  
 
SAS-3m for Rosetta/Comet Nucleus Sample Return
 
SAS-3m for Rosetta/Comet Nucleus Sample Return
 
Several system studies were performed. The figure A and B depict a concept of SAS-3m Telescopic Drill developed by Tecnospazio. The figure C shows the schematics of accommodation of the Telescopic Corer Drill on a Lander from Matra study; coring elements are brought successively deeper by a telescopic tube carried by a manipulator arm. The companies NGI in Norway and Diamant Boart in Belgium performed parallel corer studies. Finally, the CNSR SAS-3m remained at the stage of a conceptual study (Eiden M., Coste P. 1991).
  
 
  
Last update: 26 January 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)

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)
 •  Sampling Mole (99-02) (http://www.esa.int/TEC/mechanisms/SEML6A56JGG_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)