Virtual Planetary Exploration
Untapped Minerals
Summary
As the population of the earth grows, it is becoming more evident that the current sources of fossil fuels and minerals in not sustainable. As planetary exploration is becoming more realistic, the search for unique and life changing evidence is becoming a part of space travel. As space expeditions are begging to go deeper into space, a way to find new minerals and fossil fuels could help change the current issue of sustainability on earth. Core sampling on the moon occurred throughout the Apollo 16 and 17 missions, and should be no different once astronauts begin exploring mars. Creating an effective core sampling device could prove to be very beneficial for all of humankind.
How I Addressed This Challenge
My project addresses the universality of using core samplers and an idea of how a core sampling device could be implemented with todays science. A core sampling device could prove to be very beneficial on mars since it is still unknown if there are any unique or more effective minerals on mars that haven't been discovered. My project utilizes the use of either exploring on foot or through the use of rovers to obtain core samples across mars. Through the use of either hydraulics, electrical batteries, or solar energy, the core sampler I created digs into the ground at a depth which is specified by the user of the device. By creating a fairly universal device that can either be implemented into a rover design or on foot the main goal of this design is to find unique or untapped mineral deposits that could help change humankind.
How I Developed This Project
The main reason I decided to take on this challenge was because the last time core sampling occurred was on the moon. Since technology has is exponentially increasing, proposing new ideas that are implemented into new technology such as the rover could prove to be more effective. Since I am familiar with Solid Works, but didn't have access to the program I used AutoCAD which is very similar to SolidWorks. The main problem I faced was using the new program, AutoCAD, since there were many different approaches to the designs I created compared to SolidWorks.
How I Used Space Agency Data in This Project
Observing the procedure sheets of the Apollo 16 & 17 it seems evident that the technology was very limited in comparison to current day technology. The various mars rovers prove to be more advanced than the moon rovers. By implementing new technology, such as a core sampler, onto the newly implemented rovers could improve the efficiency of core sampling in space.
Project Demo
https://imgur.com/a/4Rptkn6
Data & Resources
I mainly used the Apollo 16 & 17 press kits and NASA 3D sources for references to how the rovers looked and the dimensions.