# Presentation: 486515

## Laboratory Drilling Under                                Martian Conditions 

**Laboratory Drilling Under                                Martian Conditions **
**ARC, 24 March 2005**
- Kris Zacny
- kzacny@berkeley.edu

## Sample return from the Moon by US
Apollo 11, 12 and 14 
- core tube,  approx. 1m
Apollo 15, 16 and 17 
- drive tube, approx 1m
- drill approx. 3m

- Sample return from the Moon by US
- Apollo 11, 12 and 14
- - core tube,  approx. 1m
- Apollo 15, 16 and 17
- - drive tube, approx 1m
- - drill approx. 3m

- Sample return from the Moon by USSR
-  Total 10 sample return missions
- Luna 16 and 20 (0.3m), Luna 24 (2m)

## Matrioshka approach

**Matrioshka approach**

## ENVIRONMENTAL / PHYSICAL -

- Low Gravity
- Low Pressure
- Low Temperature
- Large T. fluctuations
- Dust storms

**ENVIRONMENTAL / PHYSICAL -**

## Drill bit selection

**Drill bit selection**

## ?

**?**

**?**

- Auger

- Bailer

- Mechanical

- Water,

- Mud

- Liquid

- Continuous

- Blasts

- Gas

**Cuttings Removal**

## Experimental approach:

**Experimental approach:**
- Drill Bit for Mars applications requires testing under Mars-like conditions

## Martian Conditions:

- 6 torr
- CO2 atmosphere
- -80°C

**Controls:**
- Weight on Bit
- Rotational Speed

**Record:**
- Power
- Rate of Penetration
- Temperatures:  sample & bit

## Rocks acquired:

**Rocks acquired****:**
- Basalt, Sierra Granite, Various Sandstones
**Other**:
- Ice, Clay, Sands / Silts / Gravel

## Slide 10

## WATER SATURATED FROZEN SANDSTONE

**WATER SATURATED FROZEN SANDSTONE**

## Drilling power = heat = latent heat = sublimation 

**Drilling power = heat = latent heat = sublimation **
**Volumetric expansion of water 150,000 times**

## Slide 13

## Slide 14

## Martian vs. terrestrial

**Martian vs. terrestrial**

## Strategy for Mars

**Select a drilling location on Mars. Consider: **
**water,**
**pressure (6.1mbar)**
**Design the drill system for this specific location.**
**We have 3 cases **

**Notes:**
Water and above tripple point – watch out
Water and below the tripple point – smile
No water – gas flushing

## Measurement while drilling

Temperature of the bit
Might indicate temp of the formation

Temperature of the formation
Might indicate freezing temp
Problem in salty environments (freezing point depression)

Electrical Resistance of the formation
Change in resistance attributed to the physical change of formation

_**Measurement while drilling**_
**Temperature of the bit**
- Might indicate temp of the formation
**Temperature of the formation**
- Might indicate freezing temp
- Problem in salty environments (freezing point depression)
**Electrical Resistance of the formation**
- Change in resistance attributed to the physical change of formation

## Resistance =f(amount of unfrozen water)

- Look for the sudden change!

## T= -5°C to -4 °C, ∆T=1 °C

- T= -5°C to -4 °C, ∆T=1 °C
- R=1000 kΩ to 300 kΩ; ∆R=700 kΩ

## Will gas blasting on Mars work?

## Slide 21

## Slide 22

## Size of rock dust

**Amount of rock dust**
**Gas Type: CO2, Air **
**Ambient Pressure**
**Geometry of the drill**

**Notes:**
Air volumetric requirements: air velocity
Compression power requirements: pressure loss

D = Cd * 0.5 * v2 * A

Cd a f(Re, shape, roughness, mach number, Froude number)

Cd=24/Re for Re<1

Re=rouV L/miu

Ma = V/C

C = sound velocity

Fr= V/sqrt(g*L)

## Cross contamination  

**Cross contamination  **

## Cross-contamination: e-coli

**Cross-contamination: e-coli**

- E-coli bacteria (active method)
- Varied concentration
- Varied water saturation and temperature
- Under Martian and Earth atmospheric pressures

## Cross-contamination: e-coli

**Cross-contamination: e-coli**

- Good transfer from drill to core surface
- Transfer from surface to inside liquid  water dependent

## Final Remarks

**Final Remarks**

**No much help from petroleum industry. **
**Human record is 3.5m (human) and 2m (robotic)**
**Automation vs geological uncertainty**
**Design a drill for a specific location on Mars (H****2****O; P)**
**Need to test under Mars conditions anyway.**
**Gas flushing effective for cuttings removal **
**Cross-contamination: avoid melting pore water**

## Thank you !Kris Zacnykzacny@berkeley.edu510.207.4555 (cellular)510.643.9829 (work)

**Thank you !****Kris Zacny****kzacny@berkeley.edu****510.207.4555 (cellular)****510.643.9829 (work)**