First experimental investigation of dual-reciprocating drilling in planetary regoliths: Proposition of penetration mechanics

► Dual-reciprocating drilling (DRD) was tested for the first time in planetary regolith simulants. ► The concept of slippage for DRD is introduced and very high levels of slippage were observed in regoliths. A new analysis of experiments done in rocks also revealed high levels of slippage. This proves the need for a dynamic vision of the drilling process. ► DRD allows higher penetration depths than static penetration (for the same normal force). ► Penetration mechanics of DRD in regoliths are proposed to explain the experimental observations.