MicroPenetrators for Icy Planets

1
Micro-Penetrators for Icy Planets

• Basics
• Low mass 5Kg
• Very tough 200-500 m/s, impact
  10-50kgee
• Perform science from below surface 0.5-few
  m

2 kg payload
5 kg
2
Impact Trial May 19-21 2008

• Configuration
• 3 penetrators (0.6m long, 13kg, Aluminium
• 310 m/s impact velocity (just subsonic)
• 10 degs nose-up impact angle (worst case)
• Dry sand target

• Results
• All 3 penetrators survived ( 2 hit steel
  girder)
• 4m penetration depth
• 5-17kgee forces measured
• Possibly 1st micro-seismometer survival at
  10Kgee.

• Next steps
• Harder targets (ice, sand/ice, concrete)
• Fully operational configuration
• Transmission from target
• Supporting studies