Hypothesized Surface: ISRU for Hypothesized Surfaces – Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence on (16) Psyche
INSTITUTION
Michigan State University (MSU)
CLASS
Tungsten Class (2023 – 2024)
STUDENT TEAM
Sara Purdue, Mechanical Engineering
Aisyah Mahira, Mechanical Engineering
Patrick Ryan, Mechanical Engineering
Branton Guri, Mechanical Engineering
Ryan Geisler, Mechanical Engineering
ACADEMIC GUIDANCE
Dr. Norbert Mueller, Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The team aimed to provide research and design a method to effectively identify the surface composition of the Psyche asteroid. Through evaluation and elimination of various potential methods, we aim to decide the identification method most suitable for the Psyche mission. Our primary deliverable is a design incorporating a sorting and identification method with reasoning behind each choice. With the options weighed and the pros and cons considered, we decided that the best way to perform XRF on a lander and or rover was to do in-situ analysis of the material and regolith in order to reduce the complexity of the mission. We can see from previous missions that in-situ analysis using XRF is doable near the surface to further away but has issues with accuracy of the imaging (the closer the scanner is the better the images). It was also determined that we would have issues with the low gravity of Psyche that any sort of internal storage and or movement of material will lead to significant spreading of dust and debris inside of the craft, most likely causing reliability issues that could interfere with the mechanisms and equipment inside the craft. So, we as a team decided that it would be easier to move the rover around and use that to get different samples and the needed data that can be sent back to Earth.