In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) research defines an important challenge that NASA is addressing to contribute to the success of interplanetary travel and colonization. Developing technologies for efficient and effective surface operations off-Earth will provide viable options for sustaining humanity outside of the terrestrial environment. A notable knowledge gap exists in the use of resonant, vibratory blade technology for off-Earth excavation purposes, but vibratory blades succeed commercially in various industries due to their low effective friction and low penetration force, two attributes which are desirable for lunar excavation tools. Previous studies in various media have shown that optimization is material dependent for ultrasonic vibratory tool system parameters such as amplitude, cutting velocity, and cutting angle. NASA Glenn’s Vibratory Excavation (VEX) rig was used to obtain preliminary data for lunar excavation in the GRC-3 lunar soil simulant. The results indicate up to a 70% penetration force reduction potential given the presence of longitudinal ultrasonic vibrations in the probe. These results will be used to guide further exploration of the force reduction phenomena in order to make design choices on a next generation excavation tool.
Ultrasonically Assisted Blade Technologies for Lunar Excavation
17th Biennial International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments ; 2021 ; Virtual Conference
Earth and Space 2021 ; 555-563
2021-04-15
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Ultrasonically Assisted Blade Technologies for Lunar Excavation
TIBKAT | 2021
|Online Contents | 2009
|Lunar Regolith Excavation Competition
NTRS | 2009
|Mobile continuous lunar excavation
NTRS | 1992
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