Drill and Sample Handling Technology for Mars Research

About the role

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA-affiliated research institute. These one- to three-year fellowships are competitive and are designed to advance NASA’s missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology.

Description

Multidisciplinary studies are ongoing that involve the development and field testing of drilling and sample handling systems and automation technologies to operate these systems. NASA Ames, together with our industry partners, is the world's leading center for space drilling technology. Ames is also a NASA center of excellence in automation and robotics, so for the past decade a series of SMD-funded projects have advanced the technology readiness of both planetary drills and the automation needed to operate them at significant lightspeed communication distances from Earth. Drilling will be needed to access the Martian subsurface to access and sample ground ice and to search for life. It is the best means to retrieve samples from regions on Mars that could possibly harbor life now or in the past, and is a core technology for future missions. Drilling will also be needed to access volatiles on the Moon and determine their abundance and vertical distribution. Specific systems that we have under development include rotary and rotary percussive drills that can access depths up to 10 m, sample distribution systems that interface between a drill and instruments, percussive penetrometers, wireline drills with pneumatic cuttings removal. This opportunity is closely related to topic 17565 Mars Exploration

Location

Ames Research Center
Moffet Field, California

Field of Science

Planetary Science

Advisors

• Brian Glass
  brian.glass@nasa.gov
  650-604-3512

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status
• Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status

Benefits

Whether you are just starting your career or already at a senior level, ORAU offers internships, fellowships, research opportunities, and contract positions that can provide you with invaluable experience. Download the ORAU Pathfinder mobile app and find the right opportunity to propel you along your career path!