Summary Reader Response Draft 1 of ExoMars Drill Unit

In the article “The ExoMars drill unit” (2019), the ExoMars was designed to acquire mineral samples in various types of soil to a depth of two metre. The features of the drill unit are a drill tool, a rotation-translation unit, and a drill box. The function of the drill tool is to acquire a minimum of 17 mineral samples by penetrating in different types of soil. According to a report The Drill and Sampling System for the ExoMars Rover (2010), the rotation translation unit enables the drill box to be positioned horizontally for stowage, vertically for drilling and at an inclined position for sample extraction.  The sample is extracted to the MArs Multispectral Imager for Subsurface Studies for analysis. The drill box acts as a housing to contain the extension rods and the backup drill tool. With the features stated above. The ExoMars drill unit will not have an issue acquiring the samples on mars.

According to “First deep drilling success for ExoMars’’ (2021), the drill unit was able to drill to a depth of 1.7 m on earth while successfully collecting the sample. Drilling on earth is more difficult then drilling on mars as the test model must be suspended on a device to recreate the gravity on mars. In addition, drilling took place on a platform tilted seven degrees of the ground to stimulate a non-vertical position.

The drill unit may not be able to operate due to unexpected environmental conditions on mars. With reference to “ExoMars will be drilling 1.7 meters to pull its samples from below the surface of mars” (2021), there are other various environmental challenges on Mars aside from the difference in gravitational strength which may cause the drill to be inoperative.

The drill unit was also able to operate in conditions similar of that on mars. According to “Positive results as space drill put to the test for ExoMars 2020 mission” (2018), the drill was able to operate in an environment simulating the Martian environment with temperatures ranging from -100 degrees to 35 degrees and atmosphere comprising of carbon dioxide with a pressure of five to ten millibars.

 

References:

European Space Agency. (2019, September 1). The ExoMars drill unit. https://exploration.esa.int/web/mars/-/43611-rover-drill


i-SAIRAS, Magnani, P., Re, E., Senese, S., Rizzi, F., Gily, A., & Baglioni, P. (2010, September). The Drill and Sampling System for the ExoMars Rover. http://robotics.estec.esa.int/i-SAIRAS/isairas2010/PAPERS/044-2769-p.pdf

European Space Agency (2021). First deep drilling success for ExoMars. Phys.org

https://phys.org/news/2021-09-deep-drilling-success-exomars.html

Milan (2018). Positive results as Space Drill put to the test for ExoMars 2020 mission. Leonardocompany

https://www.leonardocompany.com/en/press-release-detail/-/detail/trivella-test-exomars2020-marte

Williams.M (2021). ExoMars will be drilling 1.7 meters to pull its samples from below the surface of mars. universetoday.

https://www.universetoday.com/152582/exomars-will-be-drilling-1-7-meters-to-pull-its-samples-from-below-the-surface-of-mars/

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