The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has tapped Deltion Innovations to develop a tool that could be deployed on future exploration and prospecting missions in space.
Known as the “percussive and rotary multi-purpose tool (Prompt),” the tool will be a combined drill and rotary tool, or “essentially a space-age Swiss army knife,” Deltion said.
Prompt will combine elements from some of Deltion’s previous CSA-supported projects, such as: a mini-core drill, power socket wrench and a lunar sampling drill. Elements from each are to be combined into a small, light unit and attached to a CSA robotic arm.
The tool could autonomously drill into rock and other materials to extract samples, and attach and remove screws and bolts as required in robotic construction, maintenance and repairs.
“This project continues our unique heritage of space mining technology developments, and we are eager to combine these technologies in an innovative, practical way,” Deltion CEO Dale Boucher said. “Our specialty is developing unique mining technologies with terrestrial and space applications … and Prompt is a perfect example.”
Deltion is subcontracting with two other firms in Ontario on the project: Neptec Design Group in Kanata and the North Bay office of Sweden’s Atlas Copco.
Deltion is headquartered in Capreol, Ont., in the Greater Sudbury region. The firm has developed drilling and excavation technology for more than 15 years, adapting solutions and approaches from terrestrial mining to space mining.
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