Discrete element modelling of low gravity sample collection and transfer operations for Enceladus surface acquisition

Saturn’s moon Enceladus represents one of the most promising places in the Solar System that might potentially host the life beyond Earth. The Cassini mission strongly suggested the presence of hydrothermal activity and observed material from the subsurface ocean being ejected by plumes and then settling on the surface. Moreover, the low radiation environment would help preserving the chemical composition of samples deposited on the surface. A potential future mission landing on the surface of Enceladus would have the goal of collecting surface samples for in-situ analysis. On the other hand, the low surface gravity of Enceladus (1% of Earth’s gravity) represents a unique challenge for sample handling. This study focuses on the analysis of tool-soil interaction in a gravity environment like the one found on Enceladus. The Discrete Element Method was chosen to investigate the material’s flow while performing unconstrained sample collection and transfer operations.