Future Mars sample return missions would require technology to robotically acquire and cache multiple samples for delivery back to Earth. Anticipating the need to acquire samples and prevent cross-contamination, individual detachable scoops and caching boxes were designed for use with a rover. Four sample scoop/cache assemblies were mounted onto the back of Mars technology rover Sample Return Rover 2000 (SRR2K) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. A robotic arm on the rover was used to open and close the cache boxes. A clamping mechanism designed for the end effector of the robotic arm attached and detached individual scoops and performed the scooping for sample collection. The spring-loaded cache boxes had a labyrinth seal incorporated into the lid to provide a bio-barrier from external contaminants. The sample collection and caching system was tested, along with a cleaning protocol, to ensure cleanliness of the samples for life-detection studies August 2008 in Svalbard, Norway during the Arctic Mars Analog Svalbard Expedition (AMASE).


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    Title :

    Sample acquisition and caching using detachable scoops for mars sample return


    Contributors:
    Younse, P. (author) / Stroupe, A. (author) / Huntsberger, T. (author) / Garrett, M. (author) / Eigenbrode, J. L. (author) / Benning, L. G. (author) / Fogel, M. (author) / Steele, A. (author)


    Publication date :

    2009-03-01


    Size :

    4938515 byte





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



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