Mattituck, NY -- Is there life on Mars? Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientists are developing for possible future Mars missions, an apparatus that will be designed to detect amino acids in the Martian soil if they are present. This is a highly important test as amino acids are considered a, “Signature of Life.” With the apparatus, Martian soil will be tested for the presence of a specific nuclear quadrupole resonance of Nitrogen 14 found in the amino acid molecules of the soil sample.

Ultra Motion was selected to supply a high accuracy, high speed linear actuator that would be used in a “Concept Apparatus” to evaluate the soil testing procedure. Based on the results, it could become a candidate instrument for future Mars missions.

The requirements for the linear actuator included a 25 cm stroke, an acceleration in excess of 23 m/sec2, a speed of 1 m/sec, and PID motion control circuitry. Additionally, the shaft and all the end fittings would have to be completely nonmagnetic. To accomplish this, Ultra Motion supplied JPL with a modified version of its “Smart Digit” Actuator that featured a brushless “Smart Motor” and a high pitch lead screw. Ultra Motion was able to meet the JPL specifications and delivered the actuator in less than two weeks!

Ultra Motion is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in the rapid delivery of custom high precision electromechanical mini-linear actuators and matching controllers tailored to a specific requirement. Generating high forces, they are the ideal alternative to hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Typically, these clean and quiet, high performance mini-linear actuators are selected for low to moderate power applications when high precision and reliability are important requirements. Using state-of-the-art materials, they are lightweight and very cost effective.