Procedure

Deployment

All the probe components are packed to a Dock and the whole system can be carried by a human or a robot to a drilling site or a desired drilling location. (see figure 1) As this probe is able to work with or without human interaction a robot or human can place the dock and the drill will start its process.

First thing happening when the dock is on the planet/natural satellite or the asteroid will be deploying its Spikes to stay connected firmly to the ground with a firm grip. This and the shape of the dock will help stay on point after it's planted on the surface with winds/storms e.g.

After the dock is stable on the surface the probe will start to descend into the planet/asteroid.

Figure 1 :- The Dock with the components inside

Dock/Dome of the probe

This is a half sphere-shaped object that houses the whole contraption in it (see figure 2) This houses all the main functions to assist the work of the probe. This dock will help the probe with getting the cut soil out to the surface, supply the power required to the probe, analyze the data collected by the probe, secure the drilling hole from the environment, set the path clear for the probe to return to the surface, transmit the data collected to a satellite or a rover.

Figure 2:- The Cross section of the Dock with all its components inside

(Probe in the middle, The Lifters on the top, Panel cartridges on the sides of the Probe)

Panels

Panels are stored in the dock in two cartridges. These help to send power and data to the dock and from the dock to the probe and from the probe. Not only that but also these help to keep the drilled hole secure for the probe to return back to the surface once it reaches the destination. Panels contain two cables to send and receive data and those are embedded on the panels. When the Drilling is ongoing a component from the top of the dock will slide panels to the drilled hole.

Once the panel cartridges are empty it's required to fill the cartridge with new panels to continue the drilling. (see figure 3 and 4 of panels and panels slider)

Figure 3:- A single Panel

Lifters

These are two motors that will be needed to ascend and descend the probe and the container. These are located on the top of the dock and will have a weight sensor with them. These lifters will help carry the cut soil to the surface. They will be attached to the underside of the container by two cables and once the container is filled to the max capacity or the max weight, the lifters will pull up the container.

Once the drilling is over the container will be attached to the probe and lifters will bring the probe and the container back to the surface. (see figure 4 )

the Probe consist of 3 main parts(see figure 5)

1. Drill bit

2. Sensor body

3. Container

Figure 5- The whole Probe (the Drill Bit, The Body and the Container)

Figure 5.1 :- Cross Section of the whole Probe

Drill bit

The drill bit is a developed flat cutter head Diamond-titanium drill bit with a soil collection system inbuilt with its core.(see figure 6 & 6.1) .The whole drill bit will be 20cm long and will go through the whole probe.

This drill bit will descend with its weight and the assistance of 4 outer punching wheels from the body while taking cut soil through its code to the container.

Figure 6 :- The Drill Bit

Figure 6.1 :- The cross section of the Drill Bit

Sensor body

The Body of the probe will be 20cm long and will house the drill bit on it. The body consists of all the sensors which are needed to collect data from the soil while descending. When the Container is filled with soil and ascends to the surface the body will begin the process of collecting the data from the wall of the drilled hole.

This will be the place also for the 4 wheels which can be pushed towards the wall and take some assistance for the drilling process. These wheels will help the drilling process and ascend to the surface when the work is done.

At the opposite end of the drill bit, there will be attachment locks for the container. The container will attach to the body and get soil from the core spiral. When the container is attached to the body the whole probe can be sent to the surface with the help of the lifters.

Container

The container is attached to the body with detachable locks. The container is 10cm long when it's in its simple form and ready to be filled. When the container is fully filled it will be 100cm long. The container will evolve to the long-form when it's filled for the first time and it will stay that way for the whole journey.

The container is attached to the lifters directly from the bottom of the container and they will decide when this is coming to the surface. When this is filled and on the surface, the lifters will continue pulling the tethers and the bottom will be pushed up and this will push the soil from the top to the surface.

When the probe is at its destination the container will attach to the body and the lifters will pull the whole probe along with the container. (see figure 7)

Figure 7:- The Container( simple form on the left large form on the right)

Why a Drill ? not a Mole?

It's true that a drill requires more energy than a mole but we are getting power directly from the surface through the dock and if the energy is required, then we can attach additional power from a rover or if humans are there they will assist with the energy needed. In our design, this Drilling Probe can be used multiple times with multiple drilling and data collection trips. Also, a drill is much better if the trip is encountered with large rocks on the path.

in point form

• Effectiveness

• Ability to perform multiple drillings in its lifetime

Why the Dock?

The Dock is doing a major part in this design. The Dock controls the actions of the probe and it acts like the human brain to the body parts. The probe senses the data and the dock processes them and displays or distributes them. The dock secures the probe and all its components from the travel to the destination and from the environment. As we see, the dock is a very important component of this project.

in point form

• Processes the data collected by the probe

• Sends data transmissions

• Supplies the probe with the required power.

• Safeguarding the probe and all its components.

Why the Panels?

As we encounter the problem of giving the probe its power and making it reusable after one trip leads to the creation of panels. As we discussed earlier panels consist of data and power cables from the dock and to the probe. Panels also prevent falling debris onto the probe so it has a clear path on the way back to the surface.

in point form

• keeping the passage clean for the probe to return.

• Keeping the probe safe from debris.

• housing the power and data transmission cables.

New things?