P089-02
FROST: Frozen Regolith Observation and Sampling Tool

Thursday, 17 December 2020: 05:33
Virtual
Kris Zacny, Honeybee Robotics Pasadena, Pasadena, CA, United States, Bethany L Ehlmann, California Institute of Technology, Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, Pasadena, CA, United States and Christopher H House, Pennsylvania State University, Geosciences and Penn State Astrobiology Research Center, University Park, PA, United States
Abstract:
One of the most pressing questions in exploration is whether life exists or existed anywhere else in the Solar System. Water is a critical prerequisite for life as we-know it; thus, targets in the search for extraterrestrial life are bodies that have or had liquid water, e.g. Ceres, Enceladus and Europa (Ocean Worlds), or Mars. Due to significant radiation fluxes, or the possibility for burial by later materials, the search for life requires subsurface access. Solar System life detection, further, requires a sampling system to deliver subsurface samples to state-of-the-art instruments as remote sensing approaches alone are insufficient.

A sampling operation normally has six steps: 1. sampler deployment, 2. material excavation, 3. sample capture, 4. sample transport, 5. sample metering and verification, 6. sample delivery. In the recent past, significant efforts have been undertaken to increase technology readiness of steps 1, 2 and 6. However, steps 3 - 5 have seen more limited development efforts, in spite of these steps (3 - 5), being more challenging.

Frozen Regolith Observation and Sampling Tool (FROST) is a sample acquisition and delivery system suitable for ices and rocky regolith on airless bodies. FROST covers steps 2-6 outlined above (FROST architecture does not need step 1) and is suitable for Ceres, Enceladus, Europa, and other airless bodies, as well as Mars.

FROST captures the most promising approaches into a single, fully integrated system. It includes a Drill to excavate and reach up to 20 cm below the surface (step 2), PlanetVac to capture and pneumatically move material (step 3 and 4), a Diverter and a cup for metering (step 5) and a Carousel with leveler to deliver samples to instruments (step 6). Since the Drill and PlanetVac are mounted on the footpad/leg of a lander, step 1 (deployment) is eliminated, reducing system mass and risk. Since PlanetVac (without a use of a drill) can be used as excavation system for granular material, it offers system level redundancy.

FROST draws significant heritage from various flight programs, including Dragonfly, PlanetVac, and MMX.

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