Sampling of Regolith on the Moon and Mars Utilizing Electrostatic Force and Mechanical Vibration

To realize reliable and autonomous sampling of regolith on the Moon and Mars, the authors have developed a unique sampling system that employs electrostatic cap-Ture and mechanical vibration transport of particles. A high ac voltage is applied be-Tween parallel screen electrodes mounted at the end of the sampling tube. Regolith particles on the surface are captured after they are passed through the openings in the screen electrodes by means of an electrostatic force. The captured particles are then transported through a tube against gravity and transferred to a capsule utilizing me-chanical vibration. Experiments demonstrated that some amount of regolith is sam-pled for a short period, even in the 1-G environment on the Earth if the end of the screen electrode is in contact with the regolith layer. Because the gravities on the Moon and Mars are one-sixth and three-eighths, respectively, of that on the Earth, the process of sampling particles on the Moon and Mars will be easier than on the Earth. Not only simulant particles but also crushed ice can be sampled using this system.