Sudbury-based mining and automation robotics firm, Deltion Innovations Ltd., has been awarded a contract as part of the Canadian Space Agency’s (CSA) Space Technology Development Program, to develop a drill and rotary multi--purpose tool with the potential for deployment on future exploration and prospecting missions on the Moon and Mars.
The Percussive and Rotary Multi-Purpose Tool (PROMPT) is described as a space-age Swiss Army Knife combining elements of the mini-corer drill, power socket wrench tool and a lunar sampling drill previously developed by Deltion for the CSA.
Key elements from these projects will be combined into a small, lightweight unit and installed on the end of a CSA robotic manipulator arm.
PROMPT is designed to work on its own, drilling into rock and other materials to capture a variety of samples. The tool will also be equipped to attach and remove screws and bolts for robotic construction, maintenance and repair tasks.
“Deltion Innovations Ltd. is very proud to have been awarded this contract by the CSA to develop PROMPT,” said Dale Boucher, CEO of Deltion. “This project continues our unique heritage of space mining technology development.”
Deltion Innovations Ltd. is subcontracting to two other Ontario based companies – Neptec Design Group in Kanata and Atlas Copco in North Bay.
