NASA Lunar Sampling System

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This lunar soil sampling system features a rotary spinning wheel with 360-degree maneuverability, controlled by a separate system and radio. It has sensors and elevators that accurately adjust the sampling depth from 0 to 100 mm. The user can select the desired location for sampling on the moon's surface. If not fitted with reverse rotation, the rotary collector drains the sample. Extracted samples are automatically discharged at a 360-degree rotary. Samples smaller than 20mm and 1.5mm in size can be separated accurately. Samples are transferred to a container at 180 degrees, which can then be tipped into a conical funnel for review. The system allows sample emptying as desired and channels access to samples beneath the surface up to 10 cm deep. It counts rock masses before transferring to the main sample vessel and has two containers for better selection. Disassembly of the main container is easy and quick, with a rotary roller collector weighing just 500 grams, and the rover system weighs 2500 g on Earth and 400 g on the moon. The research, design, and completion took 120 hours, and it uses five step motors (12V, 1.5-3W), with a 30W battery capable of disassembling and assembling 500 cm (five container cubes).