Sample collecting method and sample collecting system

Abstract

Provided is a sample collecting method for collecting a sample of soil at a predetermined depth by excavation on an extraterrestrial body or the earth. The method comprises forming a first borehole 70 that reaches a first depth from a land surface 69 by preliminary excavation of soil, the first depth being less than a predetermine sampling depth from the land surface 69; and forming a second borehole 73 that has a smaller opening than the first borehole and reaches a second depth from the land surface by further excavation of soil in the first borehole, the second depth being equal to or greater than the sampling depth, wherein, while forming the second borehole 73, part of soil present at the sampling depth in the second borehole 73 is transferred to the land surface 69 as a sample for analysis.

1 . A sample collecting method comprising:
 forming a first borehole that reaches a first depth from a land surface by preliminary excavation of soil, the first depth being less than a predetermined sampling depth from the land surface;   forming a second borehole that has a smaller opening than the first borehole and reaches a second depth from the land surface by further excavation of soil in the first borehole, the second depth being equal to or greater than the sampling depth; and   while forming the second borehole, transferring part of soil present at the sampling depth in the second borehole to the land surface as a sample for analysis.   
     
     
         2 . The sample collecting method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of forming the first borehole is performed by a preliminary excavation apparatus with a scoop or a blade. 
     
     
         3 . The sample collecting method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of forming the second borehole is performed by a main excavation apparatus with a screw. 
     
     
         4 . The sample collecting method according to  claim 3 , wherein the step of forming the first borehole comprises forming a bottom surface and a sloped side surface connecting the bottom surface with the land surface, and
 wherein the step of forming the second borehole comprises moving the main excavation apparatus through the sloped side surface to the bottom surface.   
     
     
         5 . The sample collecting method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of forming the first borehole is performed by blasting soil on the land surface. 
     
     
         6 . The sample collecting method according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sample supply step for supplying at least a portion of the sample for analysis that has been transferred to the land surface, to a sample analyzing apparatus installed on the land surface. 
     
     
         7 . The sample collecting method according to  claim 6 , further comprising a separation step for separating one or more analyte components from the sample for analysis by processing the sample for analysis that has been transferred to the land surface,
 wherein the sample supply step comprises supplying the one or more analyte components to the sample analyzing apparatus as part of the sample for analysis.   
     
     
         8 . The sample collecting method according to  claim 7 , wherein the separation step comprises separating water as an analyte component from the sample for analysis by heating the sample for analysis. 
     
     
         9 . A sample collecting system comprising:
 a preliminary excavation apparatus for forming a first borehole that reaches a first depth from a land surface by preliminary excavation of soil, the first depth being less than a predetermined sampling depth from the land surface; and   a main excavation apparatus for forming a second borehole that has a smaller opening than the first borehole and reaches a second depth from the land surface by further excavation of soil in the first borehole, the second depth being equal to or greater than the sampling depth,   wherein the main excavation apparatus comprises a screw for excavation, and   wherein, by rotating the screw, part of soil present at the sampling depth in the second borehole is transferred to the land surface as a sample for analysis.   
     
     
         10 . The sample collecting system according to  claim 9 , wherein the preliminary excavation apparatus is provided with a scoop or a blade. 
     
     
         11 . The sample collecting system according to  claim 9 , further comprising a sample analyzing apparatus installed on the land surface and configured to analyze one or more analyte components included in the sample for analysis that has been transferred to the land surface. 
     
     
         12 . The sample collecting system according to  claim 11 , wherein the main excavation apparatus is movable between a standby position in which the main excavation apparatus lies horizontally along the land surface and an operating position in which the main excavation apparatus stands upright relative to the land surface, and
 wherein the sample analyzing apparatus is moved between the standby position and the operating position together with the main excavation apparatus.   
     
     
         13 . The sample collecting system according to  claim 11 , further comprising a sample processing apparatus configured to perform a heat treatment process for separating gas containing water, the water being an analyte component, from the sample for analysis. 
     
     
         14 . The sample collecting system according to  claim 13 , wherein the main excavation apparatus comprises a hollow rod configured to accommodate the screw,
 wherein the hollow rod defines an opening for discharging the sample for analysis that the screw has transferred to the land surface, and   wherein the sample analyzing apparatus is installed at a location where the sample for analysis discharged from the opening falls by gravity.   
     
     
         15 . The sample collecting system according to  claim 13 , wherein the sample processing apparatus comprises:
 a core formed with a recess for accommodating the sample for analysis for the heat treatment process; and   an outer cylinder arranged to surround the core,   wherein the core is rotatably provided within the outer cylinder,   wherein the outer cylinder defines a sample inlet that is a through hole into which the sample for analysis is provided, and   wherein the sample inlet is formed such that the recess is brought into communication with an outside environment through the sample inlet only when the core is at a predetermined rotational position.   
     
     
         16 . The sample collecting system according to  claim 11 , further comprising a vehicle equipped with the preliminary excavation apparatus, the main excavation apparatus, and the sample analyzing apparatus.