A Planetary Vacuum Efficiently Takes a…

The train demonstrated that Honeybee Robotics’ PlanetVac may be tailor-made to a planetary lander, on this case altering a landing foot of a Masten Home Applications Xodiac rocket.  It moreover demonstrated PlanetVac may survive and thrive related to the latest, shaking setting of a rocket.  Worthwhile demonstration of this so-called elevated know-how readiness stage will make PlanetVac further extra prone to be chosen to fly on future space missions.

PlanetVac is supposed to be one other or additional choice to do one factor that is tough and actually scientifically priceless: purchase planetary samples, in numerous phrases, filth and rocks from planetary surfaces using robotic spacecraft.  PlanetVac makes use of gasoline to energy the filth up proper right into a sampling container or instrument.  Its use of only one shifting half – a valve to launch the gasoline – makes it reliable.  And its comparatively low mass and worth are moreover giant pluses throughout the planetary recreation.

In 2013, Planetary Society members funded early assessments of PlanetVac in a vacuum chamber at Mars pressures. The check out was worthwhile.

NASA chosen PlanetVac for its Flight Options program to fly on a Xodiac rocket.  NASA sponsored the flight, and Planetary Society members and donors acquired right here collectively to produce the additional funding needed for Honeybee Robotics to adapt PlanetVac to the Xodiac. A variety of Planetary Society staff along with some donors to the mission obtained the prospect to witness a flight.

The flights befell on the Mojave Air and Home Port throughout the southern California desert. The day started off with safety briefings from Masten personnel, then we and the rocket headed to the launch pad.  After cautious preparations and fueling of the liquid oxygen, the rocket launched, a spectacular sensory experience with magnificent visuals and large sound.  Landing occurred about half a minute later only a few meters away with the PlanetVac leg throughout the Mars simulant.  Sampling itself took solely ten seconds.  The rocket flew once more to its place to start and landed.  Following venting of the remaining liquid oxygen and safety checks, we had been allowed to technique the rocket and retrieve the PlanetVac sampling container.  Concentrating on 100 grams of sample, Honeybee engineers had been very excited when flights obtained higher than 300 grams of sample.  It was an unlimited success and a tremendous experience.