RASSOR Bucket Drum Design

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NASA Challenges Designers to Create Better Bucket Drums for RASSOR Robot. RASSOR's bucket drums must be carefully crafted to capture the right amount of regolith. At any given moment, no more than two scoops can be engaged simultaneously, with a total width of 65mm. This precise design ensures optimal performance. The bucket drum itself is made from high-strength CFRP, weighing in at 4.8 kg and measuring 450 mm in diameter by 280 mm in length. Its robust construction enables it to capture approximately 19 liters of regolith with each scoop. One key factor in the bucket drum's design is its fill ratio, which must be around 70%. This means that the drum should be able to collect about 70% of the regolith it encounters. To achieve this, designers will need to carefully balance the size and shape of the drum with the strength of its materials. The RASSOR robot requires bucket drums made from high-strength materials such as CFRP and 5052-H38 Aluminium alloy. These materials provide the necessary durability and resistance to withstand the rigors of regolith collection.