Summary Reader Response Draft 2 of ExoMars Drill Unit
The ExoMars drill unit 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. With the features stated above. The ExoMars drill unit will not have an issue acquiring the samples on mars.
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. This poses as an issue as the dill unit will
not be able to acquire the samples if the drill unit is inoperative.
However, tests
were conducted with the drill unit being 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. As the drill unit was able to pass the test mimicking
the conditions on Mars, it will not have issues operating and acquiring the
samples.
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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