
Sandbox (Subsurface)
Subsurface sampling is one of the most important aspects of a space probe, as substances below the surface are preserved in their original form, unaffected by harsh solar radiation and extreme temperatures. Members of the Drillers at UCLA created Excalibur, a manually operated subsurface sample acquisition drill which has drawn inspiration, in part, from a classical Shelby tube. Excalibur is designed to tackle dynamic missions by ensuring sampling capabilities in materials ranging from loose regolith to substances that are harder than sandstone.