An integrated coring and caching concept

An integrated concept for core sample acquisition and caching with potential application to a Mars caching mission has been developed. The concept utilizes a five degree-of-freedom manipulator arm to deploy a rotary percussive coring tool as well as to provide alignment, feed, and preload for the tool. The tool provides coring, core break-off, core retention and bit capture and release for bit change-out. In this concept, a sample is acquired directly into its sample tube in the coring bit and bit change-out is used to transfer the sample to the caching subsystem where it is sealed and stored.