ATTOMIC Project Austin Tests Thermodynamics of Moon’s Inner Crust 1

Team Introductions Project Manager: Matthew Pensa Systems Engineer: Donald Murrow Ketan Awasthi Zach Blunier Jacob Chapman Michael Krauz Daniel Lane Ryan Reece Joshua Smith 2

Overview and Mission Objective Mission Objective To measure the temperature of the moon’s regolith compared to the surface to test if the regolith is an insulator using themocouples placed inside penetrators. Specifications and Constraints Total mass ≤ 3 kg. This includes all support equipment necessary. Total mass ≤ 3 kg. This includes all support equipment necessary. The original Volumetric Envelope was 6”x6”x12” but after discussion with Dr. Benfield the volumetric envelope was enlarged. The original Volumetric Envelope was 6”x6”x12” but after discussion with Dr. Benfield the volumetric envelope was enlarged. Power allotted is 10 watts. Power allotted is 10 watts. 3

Deployment Mechanism Four spread out barrels each measuring different lengths so the penetrators will fire to different depths. Four spread out barrels each measuring different lengths so the penetrators will fire to different depths. One Spherical shaped helium tank pressurized at 4500 psi. One Spherical shaped helium tank pressurized at 4500 psi. Valve at top of each barrel to control when helium is released. Valve at top of each barrel to control when helium is released. 4

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Ball Detents Spring loaded Hold penetrator in place Barrel Lip Catch detachable back end of penetrator to control depth 6

Side View 7

Field Test 8

Penetrator Designs Pros- Based on Japan’s Lunar A mission. Smaller diameter at tip. Low Volume. Aerodynamic in design. Cons- Will slow down upon entering the moon’s crust. Pros- Has a uniform diameter all the way through. Cons- Has higher volume than other designs. Pros- Less Surface area to cause friction. Cons- Could be difficult to secure inside barrel because of varied diameter. 9

Process of ruling out penetrator We performed a field test to determine which penetrator would be most sufficient for the mission. The experiment consisted of dropping the three penetrators from a measured height into a bucket of sand to and record how deep they penetrated. Each penetrator was dropped three times in order to obtain an accurate measurement. We performed a field test to determine which penetrator would be most sufficient for the mission. The experiment consisted of dropping the three penetrators from a measured height into a bucket of sand to and record how deep they penetrated. Each penetrator was dropped three times in order to obtain an accurate measurement. 10

Final Penetrator After the field test, we concluded that Ryan’s design proved to be the most effective because it penetrated the sand the most efficiently. After the field test, we concluded that Ryan’s design proved to be the most effective because it penetrated the sand the most efficiently. 11

Calculating Mass of the ATTOMIC Project

Trade Studies & Experimental Risk Unknown composition of regolith where our penetrators will plunge into the soil. Unknown composition of regolith where our penetrators will plunge into the soil. Which materials to use. Which materials to use. Volume which the tether will occupy. Volume which the tether will occupy. 13

Penetrator Equation High-Velocity Equation (>61m/s) D= *S*N(m/A) 0.7 (V-30.5) D: Depth penetrated S: Penetrability coefficient of target N: Nose performance coefficient A: Cross sectional area of penetrator m: mass of penetrator 14

We would like to thank The University of Alabama at Huntsville, Dr.Benfield, and Dr. Turner for this outsanding opportunity which they have provided for us to create this experiment. We would like to thank The University of Alabama at Huntsville, Dr.Benfield, and Dr. Turner for this outsanding opportunity which they have provided for us to create this experiment. 15

Questions and Discussion 16