HR: 1340h
AN: P33A-0236    [Abstracts]
TI: Direct and Indirect Measurement of Rock and Soil Physical Properties on Venus
AU: * Wilson, J
EM: Wilson@HoneybeeRobotics.com
AU: Bartlett, P
EM: Bartlett@HoneybeeRobotics.com
AU: Zacny, K
EM: Zacny@HoneybeeRobotics.com
AU: Gorevan, S
EM: Gorevan@HoneybeeRobotics.com
AU: Roopnarine, R
EM: Roop@HoneybeeRobotics.com
AB: Acquiring and analyzing samples from the Venusian surface is a primary goal of future Venus exploration. In addition to supplying in situ instruments with pristine samples, the data acquired during drilling operations (and any other material processing operations) can provide important information about the physical properties of the material encountered at the drilled sites. Data such as motor current draw, penetration rate, weight-on-bit, etc., can be used to indirectly infer physical properties about the medium being drilled via comparison to other materials drilled under the same conditions. Direct physical properties measurements may also be made, from dedicated tools such as imbedded shear strength test devices, provided that adequate space inside the drill string is available. Inferring physical properties from drill data is not a trivial matter but its benefit to science return is great. Honeybee Robotics is involved in several efforts that are attempting to directly and indirectly assess rock and soil physical properties based on drill data, which includes the Mars Exploration Rover mission Rock Abrasion Tool data set, though much more work is still required in this area. Lessons learned from these efforts so far have demonstrated the importance of co-developing the physical properties assessment techniques along with the drill system itself from the start of the design process. An overview of this process and how it relates to Venus exploration and science data return will be discussed.
DE: 5100 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ROCKS
SC: Planetary Sciences [P]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005