Abstract
The exploration of asteroids is important for explaining cosmogenic origins. Sampling on asteroids has attracted extensive attention from researchers but remains full of challenges. Here, a novel electrostatic sampler (ES) for extracting samples in asteroid environments is proposed. The ES consists of a sampling head and a DC high-voltage generator. Furthermore, its working principle, structure design, and key-parameter design were devised to ensure a high sampling ability. The sampling experiments were conducted using simulant lunar regolith, quartz sand, glass sand, iodized salt, non-iodized salt, iron powder, and expanded polystyrene particles in Earth environment. The results demonstrated that particles with high charge-to-mass ratios and high conductivities can be sampled at high efficiencies. For example, simulant lunar regolith with sizes ranging from 140 mesh to 150 mesh and conductivity of 4.99e−6 S/m can be sampled at a rate of 26.54 g in 30 s using an applied voltage of 12 kV. On the other hand, particles with low charge-to-mass ratios and low conductivities cannot be sampled or can only be sampled at extremely low efficiencies. The experiment results proved that the ES is a high-efficiency, low-energy method for sampling particles. This method opens a new avenue for future asteroid sample-return missions.
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