The 1-2m depth regime is at the heart of Honeybee Robotics' drilling research and development program. Experimentation in this regime both informs upon near-horizon surface drilling tools and lays the groundwork for the deeper flight drills of the future. Through the testing of several prototype drills in the 1-2m regime, Honeybee has amassed an unparalleled body of knowledge on the science and engineering of planetary drilling.
Drilling Science:
- Operational parameter optimization
- Drill bit and auger design (rotary and rotary/percussive)
- Auger design
- Heat flow
- Relationships between geology and drilling performance
Engineering:
- Dust tolerant electrical/mechanical connections for drill strings
- Core breakoff and handling mechanisms
- Compact stowing configurations
- Gas-assisted cuttings removal
