Bioinspired Drilling for Extraterrestrial Applications

TL;DR

This paper explores how nature-inspired drilling methods could improve subsurface exploration on other planets where traditional drills struggle.

Contribution

The paper introduces novel bioinspired drilling strategies tailored for extraterrestrial conditions with low energy and mass constraints.

Findings

Bioinspired drilling methods like the carpenter bee style reduce overhead forces by up to 50%.

Clam-like fluidization reduces drag by 90%, and sandfish-inspired methods improve mobility in granular media by 40%.

Dual-reciprocating and oscillatory mechanisms are recommended for near-term extraterrestrial missions.

Abstract

This review presents the novel synthesis of nature-inspired drilling strategies specifically tailored for extraterrestrial environments, where conventional technologies fail under the environmental conditions and power and mass constraints. Biomimetic drilling, inspired by insects, mollusks, reptiles, and other organisms, offers novel solutions for extraterrestrial subsurface exploration. Numerous organisms efficiently penetrate materials with low energy, using little force, and adapt to flexible substrates, which are essential capabilities for use off this planet. Traditional rotary and percussive drills do not function well under microgravity, at the end of the temperature spectrum, or in low energy and mass environments, such as landers which are typically under 300 kg and 200 W of power available. Nature-inspired approaches such as the reciprocating carpenter bee style have been shown to reduce overhead forces by as much as 50%; clam-like fluidization reduces drag by 90%; and sandfish-inspired methods improve mobility in granular media by 40%. These also improve the in situ resource utilization (ISRU) approaches for efficient sampling, water ice extraction, and planetary surface operations. This paper focuses on bio-drilling with other biological models, their engineering analogs, and exploration models for off-Earth use. Based on this synthesis, the paper recommends prioritizing dual-reciprocating and oscillatory mechanisms for near-term missions, while pursuing hybrid, AI-driven, and wear-resistant designs for long-term exploration. These approaches will help to improve penetration efficiency, reduce power demands, and extend the drilling system’s lifespan in challenging extraterrestrial environments.

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