AbstractDrilling and excavation technology will be fundamental to the exploration of the solar system and the development of scientific outposts. To date, drilling has only been conducted on the moon to the depth of a few meters and on Mars to depths measured in centimeters. But depths on the order of tens to hundreds of meters or even kilometers will be necessary for appropriate chemical and biological sampling or to reach postulated useable volumes of liquid water on Mars. Recent NASA sponsored studies on drilling technology have highlighted the benefits and probable technology path of Tethered, Down-Hole-Motor, Drilling Technology to meet future mission requirements. While demonstrations of some drilling technology has confirmed a basic readiness level for inclusion in mission planning, fundamental rock/bit interaction phenomena and cuttings transport questions could be most directly researched in the context of a deep drilling mission on earth. This paper presents the basic concept of Tethered, Down-Hole-Motor Drilling as it might be developed to work with a broad range of available basic downhole drilling equipment, along with identification of opportunities for technology “leaps”. A recent laboratory demonstration of a similar system (performed by the authors for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory) is described that included a revolutionary new bit system that drilled an 80mm diameter hole in medium strength sandstone to a depth of 2-meters at a total power consumption that is five time less than conventional drilling methods. Comparisons of recorded mass and power consumption for conventional terrestrial drilling methods are made against demonstrated laboratory data and against postulated deep drilling scenarios with Tethered, Down-Hole-Motor, Drilling. Specific experiments are recommended including instrumented testing of bit/rock interaction in various temperature regimes, hollow stem auger performance at depth, and maintaining hole stability in regolithic layers. Experiments are directly linked to their potential benefit in the design and development of new highly efficient, low mass drilling technologies for exploring the solar system.
Tethered, Down-Hole-Motor Drilling system — A benefit to Mars exploration
Advances in Space Research ; 31 , 11 ; 2421-2426
2003-03-15
6 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Tethered, Down-Hole-Motor Drilling system - A benefit to Mars exploration
Online Contents | 2003
|Tethered, Down-Hole-Motor Drilling System - A Benefit to Mars Exploration
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2003
|AIAA | 1989
|Stator life of a positive displacement down-hole drilling motor
Tema Archiv | 1999
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