Instruments

TAGSAM

 

The Touch-And-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM) consists of an elegantly simple sampler head with a Stardust heritage articulated arm. On-board N2 resources support up to three separate sampling attempts. Vacuum and micro-g tests of the sampler head consistently demonstrate collection of > 60 g of sample (the minimum required to meet NASA's sample collection/curation requirements). The surface contact pads will also collect fine-grained material.

Here are some highlights of the TAGSAM instrument/technique:

  • Slowly approach surface at 0.1 m/sec,
  • Contact within 25 m of selected location,
  • OCAMS documents sampling at 1 Hz,
  • Collect samples in ~5 sec - Direct Nitrogen (N2) annular jet fluidizes regolith - Surface contact pad captures surface sample,
  • Verify bulk sample collection via spacecraft inertia change; surface sample by imaging sampler head,
  • Sampler head stored in Stardust-heritage SRC and returned to Earth.

 

Want to learn more about the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft's TAGSAM sample collector? Watch the video below to see a simulation of the collector in action.


 

 

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