Patent ID: 6138522
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: E21B,G01N

Abstract:
A sample collecting apparatus of a space craft, comprising:a canister comprising a hollow container attached to a part of the space craft and so constructed that a position of said canister is capable of being moved in a direction from the space craft to a ground surface of a planet being sampled;a rotating drill having a spiral groove on an external surface thereof, said rotating drill being arranged perpendicular to a bottom surface of said canister, said bottom surface for contacting the ground surface of the planet, and said rotating drill being constructed to be capable of protruding from said bottom surface of said canister from an interior of said canister;a supporting means for attaching said canister and said rotating drill to the space craft,wherein said supporting means, said canister, and said rotating drill are capable of being extended and retracted between a retracted storage position and an extended operating position; anda common drive unit imparting uniaxial rotational motion to said supporting means for driving said canister and said rotating drill.