Feb 4, 2017
Technical details on Zaptec Plasma Drill which could drill 2000 meters down with gear that could fit in a SpaceX Dragon capsule
Posted by Klaus Baldauf in category: robotics/AI
https://youtube.com/watch?v=QmSJlgI04PA
Zaptec has a new plasma drilling technology which could achieve practical, affordable, and reliable deep drilling on the Moon, asteroids, Mars, and its moons. The drilling system comprises a freely advancing drill head tethered by a power cable to a power source topside and high voltage generator downhole. The drill advances by generating a high-energy density plasma at the drill head which breaks down and pulverizes the target rock. A key enabling technology is the system’s ability to deliver high energy plasma discharges via low mass, small volume power transformers located in the drill head section. Powder cuttings may be removed by circulating compressed CO2.
Zaptec on the Moon