Real-Time Automated SHM for Systems in Interplanetary Subsurface Exploration

This paper presents a real-time automated structural health monitoring system (SHM) for a drill system. The drill system is for obtaining subsurface samples during interplanetary exploration. Such an SHM has stringent specifications including a fast-response of the health of the system before the faults or defects have the potential to stop the drilling operation, use of drill motor as the internal actuator, a need for non-contact sensors, automation of the complete SHM system, real-time capability and a reliability of monitored health of the structure. The paper presents the formulation, development and validation of such an SHM through a combination of analysis, laboratory tests and field tests on a selected test vehicle.