The use of jet penetrators for movement in the lunar soil

Abstract

The possibility of using penetrators for researching the subsurface layers of the moon is considered. Possible options for launching such penetrators are indicated, from the way the launch is carried out depends on the depth of penetration into the regolith. It was found that when the propulsion system has less traction than the static resistance of the lunar soil, movement does not occur if the launch of the penetrator is accomplished from the surface with zero entry speed. The dependences are given that permit calculating with sufficient accuracy the penetrator mass, penetration depth and the resulting overloads. The depth of penetration of the inertial penetrator depends on its mass-dimensional qualities and the speed of entry into the soil, which is limited by the level of permissible overloads. The use of a solid fuel engine on the penetrator facilitates increasing the allowable speed of the penetrator into the ground by reducing the overloads acting on it, and thereby increasing the penetration depth.

Keywords

• penetrator
• moon
• soil
• regolith
• penetration