Sampling of regolith from asteroids utilizing magnetic force

The authors have developed a magnetic sampler for the future sample return missions from asteroids. The sampler employs only a solenoid coil, DC power supply, and a simple switching circuit. The system is simple and has no mechanical moving parts, thus, making it highly reliable. In the present study, the authors analyzed a particle dynamics, and evaluated the sampler performance by conducting experiments and numerical calculations. The experimental and numerical results qualitatively agreed with the analytical calculations, and these indicate that the particle movement depends on the interaction of the electric current and its applied time. Moreover, the performance in space environments, such as vacuum and micro-gravity of 0.00001-G, are predicted by using numerical calculations. The calculation results show the space environment would make the sampler performance improved.