Numerical simulation on interaction process between impact penetrator and lunar soil particles for lunar subsurface exploration

Abstract

Unmanned in-situ exploration is an important technique to study the physical and mechanical parameters of lunar composition and evolution. The impact penetrator is an effective device for in-situ detection of the lunar soil profile at predetermined depth. Because of the lack of real lunar soil samples, it is very difficult to study and evaluate the performance of the impact penetrator. In order to truly reflect the interaction between the impact penetrator and lunar soil particles, a simulation model of the lunar soil body was established by means of discrete-element analysis, and the model parameters were matched and verified by the experimental method. Based on this model, the interaction behaviors between the penetrators with different head configurations and the lunar soil body were simulated. The stress field distribution in the lunar soil body and particle movement patterns during the penetrating process were revealed, which reflects the working principle and performance of the penetrator. The numerical simulation on the interaction process between the impact penetrator and lunar soil particles provides a feasible and effective method for the design and optimization of the penetrator, which will contribute to the development of lunar subsurface in-situ exploration technologies.