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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.
Astrobiology
|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.
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.
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