Sample Manipulation with Robotic Arm for planetary exploration

The concept of a general-purpose analyser for extra-terrestrial soil and environment drives the conceptual design of this package. The benefit of an autonomous laboratory for Planetary Science objectives is an exciting application of engineering and technological aspects. The needing to investigate the soil in depth, in conjunction with surface and atmospheric investigation, leads to the design of a sample manipulation chain composed by a two servicing mechanism, at present under prototyping phase: a 3 D.o.F. robotic arm and a 2 D.o.F. micro mechanism device.