VOILA on LUVMI-X: Volatiles Detection in the Lunar Polar Region with Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Vogt, David; Schröder, Susanne; Hübers, Heinz‐Wilhelm; Richter, Lutz; Deiml, Michael; Glier, Markus; Weßels, P.; Neumann, Jörg

doi:10.5194/epsc2020-780

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

References 4 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…When incorporated into LUVMI‐X, the LES 3 will have three main functions in support of scientific as well as ISRU activities on the lunar surface: Excavation and feedstock beneficiation: Two distinct size fractions of regolith feedstock can be delivered to different ISRU processes, which is beneficial to the process control and product quality of a multitude of ISRU applications, like for instance additive manufacturing, regolith sintering, or oxygen extraction (see Table 1). LIBS support: For compositional analysis of the lunar surface, LUVMI‐X carries a laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) system on‐board (VOlatiles Identification by Laser Ablation (VOILA)) (Garcet et al, 2019; Losekamm et al, 2021; Vogt et al, 2020, 2021). Our proposed excavation method will be able to scrape/trench into the surface of the lunar regolith, revealing subsurface rock and soil samples available for LIBS investigations.…”

Section: The Luvmi‐x Rover Platform: Scientific and Isru Objectives E...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…• LIBS support: For compositional analysis of the lunar surface, LUVMI-X carries a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) system on-board (VOlatiles Identification by Laser Ablation (VOILA)) (Garcet et al, 2019;Losekamm et al, 2021;Vogt et al, 2020Vogt et al, , 2021. Our proposed excavation method will be able to scrape/trench into the surface of the lunar regolith, revealing subsurface rock and soil samples available for LIBS investigations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Development and test of a Lunar Excavation and Size Separation System (LES³) for the LUVMI‐X rover platform

Just

Roy

Joy

et al. 2021

Journal of Field Robotics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Future sustained human presence on the Moon will require us to make use of lunar resources. This in‐situ resource utilisation (ISRU) process will require suitable feedstock (i.e., lunar regolith) that has been both acquired and prepared (or beneficiated) to set standards. Acquisition of pre‐processed regolith, is an often overlooked engineering challenge in the demanding and low‐gravity environment of the lunar surface. Currently, regolith excavation and size separation are often developed independently of each other. Here, we present the Lunar Excavation and Size Separation System (LES3), which is an engineered one‐system solution to combine the acquisition of lunar regolith as well as separate it into two distinct size fractions, and therefore, can assist to define the quality of the feedstock material for ISRU processes. Intended for use with a lightweight (40–60 kg) lunar rover (LUnar Volatiles Mobile Instrumentation‐X; LUVMI‐X) currently under development, the mechanism utilises vibrations to reduce excavation forces and facilitate size separation. Low excavation forces are crucial for lunar excavators to be deployable on lightweight robotic platforms as limited traction forces are available. The rationale behind the mechanism is explained, its capabilities in the support of science and ISRU are showcased, and results from several laboratory test campaigns, including tests of gravitational dry sieving of different regolith simulants, are presented. The LES3 can excavate up to 100 g in a single charge while maintaining excavation forces of less than 8 N and having a mass of less than 2 kg. Finally, areas of improvement for a second iteration of the design are presented and explained. The LES3 proof of concept shows that combining of regolith excavation and size‐separation in a single mechanism is feasible.

show abstract

Section: The Luvmi‐x Rover Platform: Scientific and Isru Objectives E...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and test of a Lunar Excavation and Size Separation System (LES³) for the LUVMI‐X rover platform

Just

Roy

Joy

et al. 2021

Journal of Field Robotics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

VOILA on LUVMI-X: Volatiles Detection in the Lunar Polar Region with Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Cited by 1 publication

References 4 publications

Development and test of a Lunar Excavation and Size Separation System (LES³) for the LUVMI‐X rover platform

Development and test of a Lunar Excavation and Size Separation System (LES³) for the LUVMI‐X rover platform

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

VOILA on LUVMI-X: Volatiles Detection in the Lunar Polar Region with Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Cited by 1 publication

References 4 publications

Development and test of a Lunar Excavation and Size Separation System (LES3) for the LUVMI‐X rover platform

Development and test of a Lunar Excavation and Size Separation System (LES3) for the LUVMI‐X rover platform

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Development and test of a Lunar Excavation and Size Separation System (LES³) for the LUVMI‐X rover platform

Development and test of a Lunar Excavation and Size Separation System (LES³) for the LUVMI‐X rover platform