DREAMS: Drilling and Extraction Automated System
Mohamed Khaled, Srivignesh Srinivasan, Alkassoum Toure, Muhao Chen,, Emily Kincaid, Thomas Lopaz, Luis Rodriguez, Jessica Ezemba, Ayodeji, Adeniran, Teresa Valdez, Uthej Vattipalli, Le linh, Ahmed Madi, Eduardo, Gildin, Robert Skelton, Sam Noynaert, George Moridis

TL;DR
DREAMS is an innovative automated drilling system designed for lunar and Martian ice exploration, combining lightweight tensegrity structures with integrated drilling, heating, and extraction capabilities for deep subsurface access.
Contribution
It introduces a novel tensegrity-based design and integrated systems for automated extraterrestrial drilling, enabling deeper and more efficient subsurface exploration.
Findings
System can drill hundreds of meters below lunar and Martian surfaces.
Tensegrity structure reduces weight and enhances mobility.
Integrated systems save time and operational costs.
Abstract
Drilling and Extraction Automated System (DREAMS) is a fully automated prototype-drilling rig that can drill, extract water and assess subsurface density profiles from simulated lunar and Martian subsurface ice. DREAMS system is developed by the Texas A&M drilling automation team and composed of four main components: 1- tensegrity rig structure, 2- drilling system, 3- water extracting and heating system, and 4- electronic hardware, controls, and machine algorithm. The vertical and rotational movements are controlled by using an Acme rod, stepper, and rotary motor. DREAMS is a unique system and different from other systems presented before in the NASA Rascal-Al competition because 1- It uses the tensegrity structure concept to decrease the system weight, improve mobility, and easier installation in space. 2- It cuts rock layers by using a short bit length connected to drill pipes. This…
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Taxonomy
TopicsPlanetary Science and Exploration · Structural Analysis and Optimization · Spacecraft Design and Technology
