Center Innovation Fund: ARC CIF
A Drill-Integrated Gamma Ray/Neutron Detector for Solar System Exploration
Project Description
The approach is to integrate neutron/gamma instrumentation into a unique sample-acquisition drill, developed by Honeybee Robotics under an SBIR, and greatly matured under the HEOMD/Advanced Exploration Systems for the Resource Prospector mission, led by ARC. This approach includes (1) adapting an existing brassboard design for gamma/neutron detector into the required volume; (2) procuring the required scintillator (CLYC) and photodetectors (small silicon photo multipliers) plus pre-amps for assembly; and (3) integrating and testing the system in a relevant environment (EEL time included in budget).
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Anticipated Benefits
NASA needs tools to assess subsurface environments on the Moon, Mars, Phobos/Deimos or an asteroid to understand the composition and identifying potentially habitable environments, or for resource characterization and ISRU. Such drill-integrated instrumentation does not currently exist for planetary surface applications. A key needed capability is to measure while drilling, and to immediately recover a subsurface sample based on those measurements in a single operation. This simplifies the process of sample acquisition, and reduces overall operational risk.
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Ames Research Center
(ARC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Moffett Field, California |
| Honeybee Robotics, Ltd. | Supporting Organization | Industry | Pasadena, California |
| Millennium Engineering and Integration Company | Supporting Organization | Industry | Arlington, Virginia |
| University of Cape Town | Supporting Organization | Academia | Cape Town, Outside the United States, South Africa |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
California
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