The BiBlade sampling chain was developed for use in a potential Comet Surface Sample Return mission. Following prior versions of the sampling tool, a new tool was developed and validated to TRL 6. Sample acquisition testing was performed across a range of comet simulants and operational conditions. Tool operation was validated in a thermal-vacuum chamber. The end-to-end sampling chain was validated including sampling, sample measurement, and sample transfer. The sampling system is now ready for flight implementation.
BiBlade Sampling Tool Validation for Comet Surface Environments
IEEE Aerospace Conference ; 2017 ; Big Sky, MT, United States
2017-03-04
Conference paper
No indication
English