A Study on Sampling Mechanism Using Japanese Swordsmithing Technology for Asteroid Sample Return

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K18043
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Dynamics/Control
• Research Institution: Kanagawa Institute of Technology (2017); Teikyo University (2016)
• Principal Investigator: Watanabe Takeo 神奈川工科大学, 工学部, 准教授 (40433180)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): FUJII Hironori 株式会社TMIT, 研究開発部, 教授 (30070650) ; SAKAMOTO Takeshi 有明工業高等専門学校, 創造工学科, 講師 (60452934)
• Research Collaborator: MATSUNAGA Genrokuro ; OKEDA Masanobu
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 宇宙探査 / サンプルリターン / ペネトレーション / 日本刀技術 / 多孔質材料

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We are considering a tether-type sampling system that can be used as a future technology for asteroid sample return. In this research, experiments and numerical analyses were carried out with the aim of developing a device to acquire a stratigraphic sample in which a circular, tube-shaped collector (a corer) penetrates into the surface layer of an asteroid.
In order to enhance the penetration performance of this technology, we developed and prototyped a corer based on Japanese swordsmithing technology. A numerical simulation was carried out by finite element analysis simultaneously with a penetration test. A penetration test machine was used with a falling weight onto simulated asteroid surface made of lightweight concrete. The results of these analyses can be expected to contribute to the elucidation of penetration dynamics and the improvement of its performance.

Free Research Field

宇宙工学