Summary Reader Response Final 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-meter. The features of the drill unit are a drill tool, three extension rods, 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 different types of soil. The extension rods help increase the length of the drill. Each extension rod is 500 mm each. 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 features such as the drill tool, extension rods, and drill box the ExoMars drill unit will succeed in acquiring the samples on mars.

 

The first essential feature is the drill tool, it is used to drill through the minerals on Mars to acquire the samples. According to Magnami et al., 2008 the tip of the drill bit is equipped with “Polycrystalline Diamond Bits” which enables the drill to drill through hard materials with minimal force. European Space Agency, 2021 states that the drill unit has successfully collected samples by drilling through rocks and soil with varying hardness. This shows that the ExoMars drill unit will be able to drill through the minerals on Mars and acquire the samples.

 

The next essential feature is the extension rods. With the extension rods, the drill unit can drill to an acceptable depth of 1.7 meters. According to European Space Agency, 2021 the drill unit was able to drill to a depth of 1.7 m on earth while successfully collecting the sample. Thus, being able to pass the test with the help of the extension rods the drill unit can acquire samples as deep as 1.7 meters, the drill unit will succeed in acquiring the samples on Mars.

 

The last essential feature is the drill box which may not be able to operate due to unexpected environmental conditions on Mars. Williams, 2021 states that 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 an issue as the dill unit will not be able to acquire the samples if the drill unit is inoperative.

 

However, tests conducted on the drill box show that it will be able to operate in conditions similar to that on mars. According to Leonardo Company, 2018, the drill box was able to operate in an environment simulating the Martian environment with temperatures ranging from -100 degrees to 35 degrees and an atmosphere comprising of carbon dioxide with a pressure of five to ten millibars. As the drill box was able to pass the test mimicking the conditions on Mars, it will have no issues operating and acquiring the samples.

 

In conclusion, with features such as the drill tool equipped with Polycrystalline Diamond Bits enabling it to be able to drill through hard materials, extension rods to increase the depth of drill to two meters, and drill box to ensure the instruments within it are operational in Mars environment. The ExoMars Drill unit will succeed in drilling through hard minerals to a depth of 2 meters on Mars to acquire the samples.

 

References

European Space Agency. (2019, September 1). The ExoMars drill unit.

https://exploration.esa.int/web/mars/-/43611-rover-drill

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

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

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

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

Magnami,P.,Izzo, M., Rizzi, F., Sense, s., Campo, F., Finotello, R., Ferrario, R. (2008). ExoMars multi rod drill development and testing.

http://robotics.estec.esa.int/ASTRA/Astra2008/S03/03_04_Re.pdf

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

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

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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