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Mechanical systems are analogous to to electrical networks where springs and masses play similar roles to inductors and capacitors, respectively. A viscous damper in mechanical systems functions similarly to a resistor in electrical networks, dissipating energy. The forces acting on a mass in such systems include an applied force in the direction of motion, counteracted by forces from the spring, a viscous damper, and the mass's acceleration. This interplay of forces is mathematically described...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Rapid Manufacturing of Thin Soft Pneumatic Actuators and Robots

Rapid Manufacturing of Thin Soft Pneumatic Actuators and Robots

Published on: November 8, 2019

A Pressure-Supported Pneumatic Architecture for Robust Deep Drilling on Mars: Performance Modeling, Sizing, and

Luis Phillipe Tosi¹, Marcel Veismann¹, Scott M Perl¹

¹NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA.

|July 15, 2026

Summary

This study introduces a novel pneumatic drilling system for Mars, using CO2 to stabilize boreholes and remove debris. This technology enables deeper access to the Martian subsurface, crucial for astrobiology and planetary science.

Keywords:

Mars drilling—Planetary subsurface access—Pneumatic drilling—Wellbore stability—Cuttings transport—Mission architecture

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Last Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Rapid Manufacturing of Thin Soft Pneumatic Actuators and Robots

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Published on: November 8, 2019

Design and Fabrication of an Elastomeric Unit for Soft Modular Robots in Minimally Invasive Surgery

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Published on: November 14, 2015

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Published on: November 15, 2013

Area of Science:

Planetary Science
Robotic Exploration
Astrobiology

Background:

Deep subsurface access on Mars is vital for astrobiology and climate studies.
Previous drilling missions faced challenges like wellbore instability and fluid loss.

Purpose of the Study:

To present and evaluate a novel pneumatic drilling architecture for deep Martian subsurface access.
To mitigate mission-ending risks associated with drilling in low-pressure environments.

Main Methods:

Developed a wireline, downhole-actuated pneumatic drilling system with a sealed CO2 circulation system.
Integrated a rotary-percussive drill, sealing membrane, and pneumatic circuit for wellbore support and cuttings removal.
Created reduced-order flow physics models and a mission-level simulator with realistic constraints.

Main Results:

Simulations show cleanout operations are key to energy and CO2 budgets.
Optimizing back-pressure significantly reduces energy demand and leak-off penalties.
The system exceeds a 30 m depth target within mission constraints, scalable to ~100 m.

Conclusions:

Pressure-supported pneumatic drilling offers a scalable solution for deep drilling on Mars and other low-pressure bodies.
The architecture directly addresses primary failure modes in deep subsurface access.
Further subsystem validation is required for flight-system readiness.