TSSM Meeting - Monrovia, Jun 02 2008 MSSL/UCL UK Penetrators for TSSM MSSL/UCL UK Rob Gowen on behalf of UK Penetrator Consortium TSSM Meeting - Monrovia,

TSSM Meeting - Monrovia, Jun 02 2008 MSSL/UCL UK

Penetrators for TSSMPenetrators for TSSM

MSSL/UCL UK

Rob Gowenon behalf of UK Penetrator Consortium

TSSM Meeting - Monrovia, Jun 02 2008


Micro-PenetratorsMicro-PenetratorsBasics:• Low mass [~5Kg] • Very tough [~ 200-500 m/s, impact ~10-50kgee]• Perform science from below surface [~0.5-few m]

5 kg

2 kg payload

Payload (2kg) Science Capability

Micro seismometers sub-surface ocean, inner body structure(astrobiology, geophysics)

Chemistry package (mass spect.) organics and inorganics (astrobiology)

Soil/environment package (accelerometers, thermometer, dielectric constant, radiation monitor, magnetometer, pH, Redox)

soil mechanical properties, thermal & electrical properties (astrobiology /geophysics)

Mineralogy/astrobiology camera Soil properties/astrobiology

Descent camera Impact site context & PR


Impact TrialImpact Trial19-21 May 200819-21 May 2008

Full-scale trial 3 Penetrators, ~0.6m long, ~13kg, Aluminum 300m/s impact velocity Normal Incidence Dry sand target

0.56m


Impact trial - ContributorsImpact trial - Contributors


Impact trial – PayloadImpact trial – Payload

Radiation sensor

MagnetometersBatteries

Mass spectrometer

Micro-seismometers

Drill assembly

AccelerometersPowerInterconnectionProcessing

Accelerometers, ThermometerBatteries,Data logger


Impact Trial ObjectivesImpact Trial Objectives

Demonstrate survivability of penetrator shell, Demonstrate survivability of penetrator shell, accelerometers and power system.accelerometers and power system.

Assess impact on penetrator subsystems and instruments.Assess impact on penetrator subsystems and instruments. Determine internal acceleration environmentDetermine internal acceleration environment

at different positions within penetrator. at different positions within penetrator. Extend predictive modelling to new impact and penetrator Extend predictive modelling to new impact and penetrator

materials.materials. Assess alternative packing methods.Assess alternative packing methods. Assess interconnect philosophy.Assess interconnect philosophy.


Trial Hardware Trial Hardware

Inners Stack


Impact Trial - ConfigurationImpact Trial - Configuration

Rocket sledRocket sled PenetratorPenetrator


TargetTarget

Dry sandDry sand 2m x2m x6m2m x2m x6m Small front entrance aperture (polythene)Small front entrance aperture (polythene)


FiringFiring


1’st Firing - Results1’st Firing - Results

• Penetrator found in top of target• Glanced off a steel girder which radically changed its orientation.• Penetration: ~3.9m• Much ablation to nose and belly• Rear flare quite distorted. • Penetrator in one piece ✓

Firing parameters:• Impact velocity: 310 m/s (c.f. 300m/s nominal)• Nose-up ~10degs (c.f. 0 degs nominal)

=> worst case


Post Firing Post Firing


First Firing – Opening upFirst Firing – Opening up

ss


11stst Firing – internal Results Firing – internal Results

Micro seismometer bay

Connecting to MSSL accelerometerand data processing bay


1’srt Firing – QinetiQ 1’srt Firing – QinetiQ accelerometer dataaccelerometer data

Overview: 5 kgee smoothed,~16 kgee peakhigh frequency components ~5khz

Initial impact hi-res: Tail slap peak


1’st Firing – MSSL accelerometer data1’st Firing – MSSL accelerometer data

Along axis:Along axis: Cutter: 3kgee Cutter: 3kgee Main: 10kgeeMain: 10kgee Girder: 1kgeeGirder: 1kgee

Along axis

Vertical axis

Horizontal axis

Firing Along axis

Vertical

Horizontal

1’st 10 kgee 15kgee 4kgee

3’rd 11kgee 17kgee 7kgee

Peak gee forces in rear of penetrator11 kgee

15 kgee

4 kgee

GirderMain impactcutter


Hi-res MSSL accelerometer dataHi-res MSSL accelerometer data

Lots of high frequency structure


2nd Firing2nd Firing

“Jaws-3?”

..struck steel girder and moved it 6 inches


22ndnd & 3 & 3rdrd Firings Firings All 3 firings remarkably consistent ~308-310m/s velocity, and All 3 firings remarkably consistent ~308-310m/s velocity, and

~8-10 degs nose up.~8-10 degs nose up. 2/nd firing penetrator hit steel beam square on.2/nd firing penetrator hit steel beam square on. Penetrators survived all 3 firings. Payload still operationalPenetrators survived all 3 firings. Payload still operational..

Steel nose for 3rd firing


Survival TableSurvival Table

Item Firing 1 Firing 2 Firing 3

Penetrator ✓ ✓ ✓

Q-accel sys ✓ ✓ ✓

Rad sensor ✓ n/a n/a

Batteries ✓ n/a n/a

Drill assembly ✓ (mounting ?) n/a n/a

Magnetometer Not yet analysed n/a n/a

Micro seismometers

n/a ✓ (protected) ✓ (protected)

Mass spectrometer n/a Not yet analysed(some loose screws)

Not yet analysed

MSSL accel sys ✓ ✓ (triggered prematurely)

✓

Triple worst case: exceed 300m/s, >8deg attack angle

No critical failures – currently all minor to unprotected bays or preliminary mountings


Impact Trial ObjectivesImpact Trial Objectives

Demonstrate survivability of penetrator body, Demonstrate survivability of penetrator body, accelerometers and power system.accelerometers and power system.

Assess impact on penetrator subsystems and instruments.Assess impact on penetrator subsystems and instruments.

Determine internal acceleration environmentDetermine internal acceleration environmentat different positions within penetrator. at different positions within penetrator.

Extend predictive modelling to new penetrator materials,Extend predictive modelling to new penetrator materials,and impact materials.and impact materials.

Assess alternative packing methods.Assess alternative packing methods.

Assess interconnect philosophy.Assess interconnect philosophy.


Next Steps & Strategy …Next Steps & Strategy …

Next trial – aiming for Jan’09.Next trial – aiming for Jan’09. impact into harder material (ice,icy sand,concrete)impact into harder material (ice,icy sand,concrete) full-up system (all operating)full-up system (all operating) transmit from targettransmit from target Parallel supporting studiesParallel supporting studies

Strategy: in parallel Strategy: in parallel ‾ Major developments for Lunar (MoonLITE) missionMajor developments for Lunar (MoonLITE) mission‾ Delta developments for icy planetsDelta developments for icy planets


Penetrator website:http://www.mssl.ucl.ac.uk/planetary/missions/Micro_Penetrators.php

email: [email protected]

• Acheived major step in demonstrating confidence in technology• Including impact survival into dunes & fluvial material - > next steps

for harder materials and establishing larger engineering margins.• No great history of failure - only 1 planetary delivery to date • Significant TRL with previous space qualified technology• A useful tool in the toolbox of planetary exploration• Capable of addressing fundamental astrobiology signatures and

habitability• Provide ground truth & new information not possible from orbit• Provide useful landing information for future missions.

Penetrators ConclusionsPenetrators Conclusions


- End -- End -


What are Penetrators ?What are Penetrators ?

– Low mass projectiles Low mass projectiles ~5Kg+PDS for Enceladus~5Kg+PDS for Enceladus

– High impact speed High impact speed ~ 200-500 m/s~ 200-500 m/s

– Very tough Very tough ~10-50kgee~10-50kgee

– Penetrate surface Penetrate surface ~ few metres~ few metres

– Perform science Perform science from below surfacefrom below surface

Penetrator

Point of Separation

Payload Instruments

Detachable Propulsion Stage

PDS (Penetrator

Delivery System)


Penetrator Payload/Science Penetrator Payload/Science A nominal 2kg payload …A nominal 2kg payload …

AccelerometersAccelerometers – Probe surface/sub-surface material – Probe surface/sub-surface material (hardness/composition) (hardness/composition)

SeismometersSeismometers - Probe interior structure (existence/size of water - Probe interior structure (existence/size of water reservoirs) and seismic activity of bodies reservoirs) and seismic activity of bodies

Chemical sensorsChemical sensors – Probe surface refactory/volatile (organic/ – Probe surface refactory/volatile (organic/ astrobiologic) chemicals, perhaps arising from interior.astrobiologic) chemicals, perhaps arising from interior.

Thermal sensorsThermal sensors - Determine subsurface temperatures and possibly - Determine subsurface temperatures and possibly probe deep interior processes.probe deep interior processes.

Mineralogy/astrobiology cameraMineralogy/astrobiology camera – Probe surface mineralogy and – Probe surface mineralogy and possible astrobiological material.possible astrobiological material.

+ other instruments – to probe surface magnetic field, radiation, + other instruments – to probe surface magnetic field, radiation, beeping transmitter, etc…beeping transmitter, etc…

descent cameradescent camera (surface morphology, landing site location, etc) (surface morphology, landing site location, etc)


Enceladus - Science/Technology Enceladus - Science/Technology RequirementsRequirements

TargetTarget– E.g. region of upwelled interior material.E.g. region of upwelled interior material.– 2 penetrators would allow additional target, improved seismic results and 2 penetrators would allow additional target, improved seismic results and

natural redundancy but require 2xmass.natural redundancy but require 2xmass. LifetimeLifetime

– Only minutes/hours required for camera, accelerometer, chemistry, thermal Only minutes/hours required for camera, accelerometer, chemistry, thermal & mineralogy/astrobiologic measurements.& mineralogy/astrobiologic measurements.

– An orbital period (~few days) for seismic measurements. An orbital period (~few days) for seismic measurements. (requires RHU)(requires RHU)

Spacecraft supportSpacecraft support– ~7-9 years cruise phase, health reporting~7-9 years cruise phase, health reporting

DeliveryDelivery– Targetting precision.Targetting precision.– Ejection, descent motors & orientation, pre-impact separation, Ejection, descent motors & orientation, pre-impact separation,

communications, impact.communications, impact. OperationOperation

– Power/thermal (battery/RHU), data handling, communications.Power/thermal (battery/RHU), data handling, communications.


Preliminary Mass EstimatesPreliminary Mass Estimates

ItemItem EnceladusEnceladus TitanTitan

OrbitOrbit

DeploymentDeployment

TitanTitan

BalloonBalloon

DeploymentDeployment

Penetrator Penetrator

(inc. 2 kg payload)(inc. 2 kg payload) ~4.5Kg~4.5Kg ~4.5Kg~4.5Kg ~4.5Kg~4.5Kg

Delivery system(*)Delivery system(*) ~32Kg~32Kg ~3.5-23Kg~3.5-23Kg ~2.5Kg~2.5Kg

Spacecraft supportSpacecraft support ~2.5Kg~2.5Kg ~1.5-2.5Kg~1.5-2.5Kg ~1.5Kg~1.5Kg

Total massTotal mass ~39Kg~39Kg ~12-30kg~12-30kg ~8.5Kg~8.5Kg

(*) heavy penalty for Enceladus delivery: estimate ~8x(penetrator mass) with deployment from Titan with ∆V~3.7Km/sec


HeritageHeritage Lunar-A and DS2 space qualified.Lunar-A and DS2 space qualified. Military have been successfully firing Military have been successfully firing

instrumented projectiles for many instrumented projectiles for many years to comparable levels of gee years to comparable levels of gee forces into concrete and steel.forces into concrete and steel.

40,000gee qualified electronics exist 40,000gee qualified electronics exist (and re-used).(and re-used).

Currently developing similar Currently developing similar penetrators for MoonLITE.penetrators for MoonLITE.

Payload heritage:Payload heritage:– Accelerometers, thermometers, Accelerometers, thermometers,

sample drill – fully space qualified.sample drill – fully space qualified.

– Seismometers (ExoMars) & chemical Seismometers (ExoMars) & chemical sensors (Rosetta) heritage but require sensors (Rosetta) heritage but require impact ruggedizing.impact ruggedizing.

– Mineralogy camera – new but simple.Mineralogy camera – new but simple.

When asked to describe the When asked to describe the condition of a probe that had condition of a probe that had

impacted 2m of concrete at 300 m/s impacted 2m of concrete at 300 m/s a UK expert described the device as a UK expert described the device as

‘a bit scratched’!‘a bit scratched’!

Documents

TSSM Meeting - Monrovia, Jun 02 2008 MSSL/UCL UK Penetrators for TSSM MSSL/UCL UK Rob Gowen on behalf of UK Penetrator Consortium TSSM Meeting - Monrovia,