Progress and Perspective of Martian Regolith-sampling Technology

doi:10.3901/JME.2021.13.083

Abstract

Abstract: In Martian exploration missions, the effectiveness and importance of Martian regolith exploration highlights the critical requirements for Martian regolith-sampling technology. Forty-five Martian exploration missions which have been carried out by human beings are comprehensively and graphically described. Four Mars exploration methods are described:flying, orbiting, landing in-situ detection and roving inspection. On the basis of expounding the working mechanism, parameter and performance, and development status of Martian regolith sampling and exploration technology and equipment of various countries and institutions, as well as the forthcoming Mars exploration plans, the advantages and disadvantages of the currently used Martian regolith sampling and exploration methods are compared, analyzed, and evaluated, and six kinds of Martian regolith sampling detection methods are described:excavating, drilling, penetrating, mole-inspired, grinding and grabbing. The four critical technological difficulties and challenges faced in Martian regolith-sampling exploration are analyzed, including terrestrial resources constraints, Martian environmental constraints, Martian geological constraints and communication delay constraints. Finally, four development trends of Martian regolith sampling and exploration technology, such as expanding the scope of sampling, diversification of sampling requirements, long-term sampling strategy, and intelligent sampling realization are prospected.

Key words: Martian soil sampling, Mars exploration, planetary soil sampler, deep space exploration

CLC Number:

YAO Zhixiao, CHAO Chaoyue, GUO Haoyu, ZHANG Tao, XU Kun, DING Xilun, ZHAO Zeng, PANG Yong, DENG Jianfeng, GUAN Yisheng. Progress and Perspective of Martian Regolith-sampling Technology[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2021, 57(13): 83-101.

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