A Lunar Sample Preparation and Distribution System – derived from an tested ExoMars Breadboard
- Paper ID
5723
- author
- company
OHB System AG - Munich
- country
Germany
- year
2010
- abstract
Kayser-Threde is currently involved in several national and European studies dealing with scientific and system related payloads for potential future lunar lander missions. Moreover, Kayser-Threde has made a comprehensive review of scientific and service instruments planned for Landers for small celestial bodies, and is involved heavily in the development of some Instruments for the European Mars Lander (ExoMars Project). This paper presents a concept to adapt the ExoMars ground sample management system to requirements on a moon Lander Mission. Kayser-Threde GmbH, Germany, was and is involved with the design and development of the Sample Preparation and Distribution System (SPDS) since the start of ExoMars Phase A in 2003. In the current Phase B2 Extension of the ExoMars project Kayser-Threde advances the overall SPDS concept and design, investigates critical technologies and develops more breadboards. The SPDS comprises various mechanisms: (a) a sample transportation mechanism with carriage and sample container, (b) a blank sample dispenser, (c) a crushing station, (d) a dosing station with (e) a positioning arm, (f) a sample distribution carousel holding pyrolysis ovens and a re-usable sample container, and (g) a sample surface flattening mechanism. Initial breadboard models of (a), (c), (e) and (f) and (g) had been built and tested with good results in the previous project phases. Currently a breadboard model of (b) the blank sample dispenser and an engineering model of (c) the crushing station are being developed. We will present recent test results of the SPDS mechanisms for ExoMars and give an overview about the requirements and a concept to adapt this Mars breadboard system to the requirements profile of a moon Lander mission.