Problems of moving ultrasound penetrative devices in a dispersion medium during drilling of the Moon’s regolith

Abstract

The paper considers the problem of drilling the regolith of the Moon’s South Pole: the influence of water ice on the elastic properties of the regolith and the movement of an ultrasound penetrative device in a dispersion medium. It is shown that low-frequency vibration action can aid in controlling the viscosity of dispersion systems. The hydrodynamics of the penetrative device’s movement in a dispersion medium is calculated. Estimates are made for the drilling speed at different depths and drilling conditions to ensure the retention of volatile regolith components.