NASA Lunar sampling rotating sieve

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This device aims to evaluate lunar soil composition despite its variable nature by utilizing a flexible design that repeats evaluation cycles until goals are met. With only 500 grams, it will be housed in the main module's robotic arm to collect samples and utilize a slow-rotating aluminum sieve for size separation. Centrifugal force and vibrations were deemed unsuitable due to limited power and lunar gravity, necessitating a rotating sieve concept for effective sorting. The device, weighing 490 grams, consists of laser-cut aluminum sheets and a stepper motor-driven perforated drum. The robotic arm collects soil samples up to 10 cm deep and loads them into the drum, which separates components by size. Rocks larger than 2 cm fall out, while smaller samples are directed into evaluation bowls. A remote geologist uses a lunar module camera for visual judgment, with unsatisfactory samples emptied and satisfactory ones sealed in a hermetic container. The process repeats until desired results are achieved. The hermetically sealed container is designed to return samples to Earth, featuring an aluminum vase and bayonet lid sealed with a Kalrez O-ring coated with Teflon film. It withstands atmospheric pressure upon return and can be opened using an SKF key. The deep-drawn aluminum vessel has four ribs for stability and fits within a lunar module hole. One or more containers will return to Earth, leaving the rotating screen on the moon. This device aims to assist NASA in their lunar soil composition analysis experiment.