<title>Ultrasonic/sonic drilling/coring (USDC) for in-situ planetary applications</title>

Abstract

A novel ultrasonic drilling and coring device (USDC) was demonstrated to drill a wide variety of rocks: form ice and chalk to granite and basalt. The USDC addresses the key shortcomings of the conventional drills. The device requires low preload and power. The drill bits are not sharpened and, therefore there is no concern to loss of performance due to warring out. The device is not subject to drill walk during core initiation, and does not apply larger lateral forces on its platform. The USDC has produced round and square cores and 14-cm deep holes and has opened new possibilities to the designers of future NASA planetary exploration missions. USDC can be mounted on a Sojourner class rover, a robotic arm or an Aerobot.