A sample collector for robotic sample return missions I: Temperature effect on collected mass
by Franzen, M. A.; Roe, L. A.; Buffington, J. A.; Sears, D. W. G.
Sample return is playing an increasingly important role in solar system exploration. Among the possible mission on the horizon, are sample return from asteroids, comets, the Moon and Mars. A collector initially intended for near-Earth asteroids is the touch-and-go-impregnable-pad (TGIP). Here we explore the effect of temperature on its collection capabilities. Temperatures expected on near-Earth asteroid mission targets range from -43 to 36 degrees C. Experiments were conducted at -75, -50, -25, 23, 65, and 105 degrees C. It was found that the mass of sample collected by the TGIP increased almost linearly to 23 degrees C and then leveled off at higher temperatures. We also found that the collector did not lose its ability to collect samples after being subjected to -75 degrees C temperatures (essentially frozen) and then thawed. These experiments have shown that the TGIP can operate effectively at temperatures expected on near-Earth asteroids, especially if collection is performed on the sunward side of the asteroid.
- Journal
- Advances in Space Research
- Volume
- 42
- Issue
- 1
- Year
- 2008
- Start Page
- 20-24
- URL
- https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2007.10.012
- ISBN/ISSN
- 1879-1948; 0273-1177
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.asr.2007.10.012