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This study explores micro-penetrators designed for icy planets, emphasizing their ability to survive extreme impacts while performing scientific investigations beneath the surface. We successfully tested three 13kg aluminum penetrators, achieving a subsonic impact velocity of ~310 m/s at a 10-degree nose-up angle in dry sand. The penetrators reached depths of ~4m, withstanding forces up to 17kgee. Future missions will focus on deploying them on harder targets like ice and concrete, enhancing their operational capabilities and data transmission from within alien environments.
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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
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 1’st micro-seismometer survival at 10Kgee. • Next steps: • Harder targets (ice, sand/ice, concrete) • Fully operational configuration • Transmission from target • Supporting studies
