Mojave Test Flight - The Planetary Post with Robert PicardoThe Planetary SocietyPublished on May 31, 2018Our PlantVac performed well in its test flight on the Xodiac rocket in the Mojave desert, but first Robert takes us to D.C. for the first Planetary Science Caucus event.Masten Space segment starts at 3:30.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRiSq36zHOk?t=001
Did someone forget to set the white balance on the camera, and they just decided to go with it?
Was that the real Robert Picardo or the hologram?
Masten Space Systems’ Completes Test of Surface Sampling TechnologyNASA Armstrong Flight Research CenterPublished on Jun 13, 2018Honeybee Robotics in Pasadena, California, flight tested its pneumatic sampler collection system, PlanetVac, on Masten Space Systems’ Xodiac rocket on May 24, launching from Mojave, California, and landing to collect a sample of more than 320 grams of topsoil from the surface of the desert floor. NASA Flight Opportunities program funded the test flight.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc4ZOxqRBkI?t=001
I am a little worried about the wooden plank protecting the 'moon dust'. It would not be there on a real mission. Does the PlanetVac need putting on a small rover that can drive 100 yards, pick up a sample and return to the lander?
And how interesting would Mars/moon/asteroid dust be if brought back to Earth?
June 13, 2018Sample Return Technology Successfully Tested on Xodiac RocketJust a sample will do.Honeybee Robotics in Pasadena, California, flight tested its pneumatic sampler collection system, PlanetVac, on Masten Space Systems’ Xodiac rocket on May 24, launching from Mojave, California, and landing to collect a sample of more than 320 grams of top soil from the surface of the desert floor.“The opportunity to test a technology on Earth before it is destined for another planet allows researchers and mission planners to have confidence that once the technology arrives to its space destination it will work,” said Ryan Dibley, NASA Flight Opportunities program campaign manager. Flight Opportunities program funded the test flight.PlanetVac is a surface soil collection system for a sample return mission. The configuration tested would replace a foot pad of a planetary lander spacecraft. The goal is to bring back a sample of surface soil from a celestial body.“Bringing something back from another planet, celestial body, is the Holy Grail of planetary science,” said Justin Spring, senior project engineer for Honeybee Robotics. “It allows you to have something from another world, here, so Earth instruments can analyze it. We’re still analyzing what we collected from the moon years ago!”The pneumatic sampler foot pad starts operation after the lander touches down on a surface. Compressed gas is injected into the foot pad enclosure, lofting the soil into a cyclone separator for collection.“What it does is kind of like your vacuum,” said Spring. “It creates an area of high pressure in the front and uses an area of low pressure in the back to suck up the sample. The best thing about PlanetVac is how simple it is. Aside from a single actuator to trigger the gas flow, the system is entirely pneumatic, which reduces complexity and risk.”“There are other ways to collect samples,” he adds. “The Mars Curiosity rover uses a drill. The Mars Phoenix lander had a scoop. But to keep it simple when all you need is surface dirt then using this pneumatic system can bring the sample back.” “The Flight Opportunities program allowed us to take the PlanetVac idea and actually strap it on to Masten’s rocket putting it in a situation more realistic to what it might encounter in a space mission,” said Spring. “This reduces the risk since we now know it can survive both landing and heating loads as well as the rocket environment and still collect the sample and retain it to come back.”Through the Flight Opportunities program, the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) selects promising technologies from industry, academia and government for testing on commercial launch vehicles and enables public-private partnerships for the agency. The program is funded by STMD and managed at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.STMD is responsible for developing the crosscutting, pioneering, new technologies and capabilities needed by the agency to achieve its current and future missions.For more information about the Flight Opportunities Program, visit:http://www.nasa.gov/flightopportunitiesFor more information about the Space Technology Mission Directorate, visit:http://www.nasa.gov/spacetechLeslie WilliamsArmstrong Flight Research Center, Edwards, California661-276-3893[email protected]Last Updated: June 14, 2018Editor: Monroe Conner
Masten Space Systems technicians checking Xodiac rocket after sliding it from the company’s facility in preparation to flight test Honeybee Robotics sample return technology.Credits: NASA Photo / Lauren Hughes
Masten Space Systems’ technicians prepare their Xodiac rocket to flight test Honeybee Robotics pneumatic sampler collection system, PlanetVac, in Mojave Desert.Credits: NASA Photo / Lauren Hughes
Masten Space Systems’ Xodiac rocket flight tests Honeybee Robotics pneumatic sampler collection system, PlanetVac, in Mojave Desert.Credits: NASA Photo / Lauren Hughes
...it also indicates they are looking to go to the moon in 2021.
The large lander Xeus is currently in R&D for flights in the mid 2020's.
Quote from: Gliderflyer on 07/10/2018 12:30 am...it also indicates they are looking to go to the moon in 2021.Which just happens to be the last year possible to declare the ability to fly if vying for inclusion in CLPS.
Also note this piece of copy:Quote from: front page of Masten siteThe large lander Xeus is currently in R&D for flights in the mid 2020's.That happens to be around the time the second ACSC / FLEx lander will be desired.
Masten's website has updated: https://www.masten.aero/. It has a lot of the same information, but it also indicates they are looking to go to the moon in 2021. Also has a nice image of their 3D printed methane engine firing.